School Transitions Made Easier

Transitioning to a new school can fill children with excitement, nerves, and for many, dread. Those first few weeks are hectic. Navigating timetables, meeting new teachers and friends, and for the first time, finding where classrooms are, and understanding the canteen rules. Gone are the days of one classroom for all lessons. It’s a significant adjustment both socially and academically for many primary school leavers and such potential disruption may be experienced most acutely by children already considered vulnerable to life changes.

The biggest changes to prepare for when transitioning from primary to secondary school

• Adjusting to a new school setting can be exhausting. Before getting started on homework, they may need time for a rest. Limiting out of school activities in the first part of term could also be helpful, giving children more space to adapt to their secondary school life.
• During the first year, children can grow up rapidly and strive for more independence. Be prepared to facilitate this transition and embrace it.
• Each school now assesses based on their own system, and homework demands can significantly increase, so encourage opportunities to get outdoors and create space to help improve wellbeing and manage any stress that may potentially arise.
• Developing new friendships can take time, and school trips are a great opportunity to build confidence and bond with classmates.
• Although a while away, exams tend to take place in the summer term. Now is a good time to help make sure electronic files for homework and any exam prep notes are clearly set up for each subject and as easy to use as possible. When summer term comes around, essential information would then be easily accessible which will also reduce stress.

How can outdoor adventure help with school transitions exactly?

Outdoor adventure experiences help with the enormity of transitioning to secondary school by creating opportunities to grow in resilience and bond with teachers and peers. Schools that have integrated outdoor adventure residentials into their academic calendar at either the end of Year 6 or start of Year 7 have observed greater adaptability to transition-related problems. Children become more self-reliant, make connections to others, and report better psychological wellbeing after experiencing outdoor activities in a new environment. A carefully crafted programme of activities and curriculum related tasks shaped to meet the needs of children provide a range of skills required for effective transition.

Dr John Allan, Kingswood’s Head of Impact and Learning, said:

"Outdoor learning in school transition programmes generates ‘social capital’ providing them with honesty, trust and compassion which underpins a new sense of belonging. It equips children with the confidence needed to face new challenges and realise that setbacks can be an opportunity to get better.”

John’s research has demonstrated that children attending these programmes report more self-determination and well-being than similar children being inducted within their new school. Moreover, those children with the lowest self-determination, and arguably are the most vulnerable on entry to their new school, get the most from the residential experience. Exposure to outdoor adventure residential experiences also inspire children to embark on their own outdoor adventures around school or their home.

What children can do outdoors more locally

Some ideas for accessing the benefits of outdoor adventure more locally, include: following a woodland trail and spotting the local wildlife; finding items to build an insect house; Geocaching and discovering items in hidden outdoor locations; beachcombing a local shoreline or heading out for an evening walk and stargazing. It’s the act of being immersed in nature whilst being active that significantly improves wellbeing. A growing number of studies suggest even just five minutes of exercise in a green space may be sufficient to boost children’s physical and mental well-being through connecting to nature.

Inspired? Find out more about the impact of Kingswood’s adventures, here

‍