Step-Up to Secondary

Description

Our Step Up to Secondary programme is designed to support Year 6 pupils through the transition into secondary school, helping to reduce anxiety, build confidence and prevent placement breakdown at this critical stage. The move to secondary education can be overwhelming, particularly for pupils with additional needs, vulnerabilities or previous difficulties with attendance, regulation or confidence. This programme provides targeted, pre-emptive support to equip pupils with the skills, strategies and emotional resilience they need before they arrive in Year 7. We work closely with schools, families and professionals to create a clear transition toolkit, which may include routines, visual supports, regulation strategies, social stories, confidence-building activities and opportunities to familiarise pupils with expectations and change. Our experience shows that a lack of structured transition support is one of the most common points where difficulties emerge, often leading to disengagement early in secondary school. By intervening early, we aim to support smoother transitions, reduce the risk of breakdown, and help pupils start secondary school feeling prepared, supported and ready to succeed.