Transitions
Transitioning from primary school to secondary school
Starting secondary school is an important milestone for all students. It can involve many changes such as new travel arrangements, new teachers, a different school setting and new classmates. Moving from one secondary school to a new secondary school can involve similar changes. For students with disabilities and their families these changes can be particularly challenging.
On this page:
Supporting a student with the transition
A student with a disability may feel anxious about the upcoming changes. In particular, many students may worry about whether they can manage school work and homework in secondary school. Some may be anxious about changes to routines and friendships. Below are a few strategies for teachers that may help a student with the transition:
Consider a student's strengths and needs when planning orientation activities
Tell students what doesn’t change from primary to secondary
Local primary schools can partner with secondary schools
Provide visual supports
Consider a peer buddy system or a safe person/space for students
Help them access positive stories about high school
Plan activities that ALL teens can fully participate in. Some key considerations might include:
- ‘Do activities allow a teen who has a physical disability or who has low or blind vision to join in?’
- ‘Have we planned for activities in small groups or pairs for teens who feel anxious or overwhelmed in large groups?’
- ‘How can we manage noise levels on the day?’
Highlight the similarities so that they feel confident they already have some of the skills they will need. Access AllPlay Learn's secondary stories for an animation on What will change in secondary school and what will remain the same.
Primary schools could identify ‘Year 7 work’ that students could work on while in Grade 6. This helps students feel that they can manage high school work before they transition. It is important that the work is not more difficult than what a student can already do. If appropriate, students could even begin an assignment in Grade 6 that will be completed in Year 7.
Visual supports such as photos of school buildings, maps, photos of teachers and staff, checklists and visual timetables may be helpful for some students.
Peer buddies can provide social support, in addition to a safe person or place that a student can access when they need support.
Help students and their families access AllPlay Learn’s story How to be organised in our secondary stories page to help prepare them for the transition.
