The 2026 School Transition Survey, conducted by Wallsend Children's Community (WCC), provides valuable insights into how Year 6 pupils in Wallsend feel about moving to secondary school.
Key Survey Findings
- Preparedness is Critical: Feeling prepared is the strongest predictor of a positive transition. Pupils who feel prepared are significantly more likely to be excited (75%) compared to those who do not (32%).23
- Common Concerns: Unprepared students report higher levels of worry regarding stricter school rules, more challenging schoolwork, and the fear of being teased or bullied.4
- Transition Events Matter: This year showed a stronger correlation between attending transition events and feeling prepared (55%) compared to those who did not attend (40%).5
- Peer Influence: Having friends who talk positively about the transition is significantly linked to higher levels of excitement and confidence in pupils.
What Pupils Will Miss Most
When reflecting on leaving primary school, pupils highlighted four main themes:
- Friendships: Leaving behind long-term childhood friends going to different schools.7
- Teachers: The loss of familiar and favorite staff members.8
- Familiarity: The comfort of the same classroom, routine, and knowing exactly where to go.9
- Fun and Play: Missing longer lunchtimes, climbing frames, and creative activities like arts and crafts.10
Requested Support for Success
To make the move easier, pupils suggested several practical forms of support:
- Navigating the Environment: Providing maps and allowing for more gradual, early visits to learn the layout of larger buildings.11
- Social Connection: Ensuring they are placed in classes with friends or around peers who share similar interests.12
- Well-being Focus: Increased access to mental health and emotional support from people who understand the transition experience.13
- Workload Management: Offering more help with the transition to harder homework and more complex academic subjects like algebra.14
Next Steps
WCC plans to conduct a more comprehensive analysis in the coming months, including comparing this data with responses from the current Year 7 cohort. Individual reports will also be shared with participating schools to help them tailor their own transition programs.
