Transition
TRANSITION
When a child or young person makes a transition from one phase of education to another, this is called phase transfer. There are three key transitions in a child or young person’s education:
Early Years Setting to Primary School
Primary School to Secondary School
Secondary School to Post-16 or 19 provision
If the child or young person has special educational needs or a disability (SEND), they may require an enhanced level of support at transition. If an Education and Health Care Plan (EHCP) is in place for them it is important for all involved to begin to plan well in advance of transition.
There is a process followed by the Local Authority, including the need to name a school or college on the plan. Further information is available here: https://www.kent.gov.uk/education-and-children/special-educational-needs/education-health-and-care-plans/phase-transfers
Some useful questions for parents and carers to ask when choosing an education setting are available here: https://www.kent.gov.uk/education-and-children/special-educational-needs/support-for-school-age-children/education-support-for-your-child/apply-for-and-choose-a-school/choose-a-school-for-your-send-child/questions-when-choosing-an-education-setting
There is further guidance for the different transfer phases available for parents and carers on the Kent Information Hub:
Early Years:
Primary School to Secondary School:
Secondary to Further Education:
Kent has a Transition Charter, which sets out the responsibilities of everyone involved in the transition process.
Successful transitions occur more frequently when there is good communication, planning and transfer of information and records between early years settings, schools and parents/carers.
STLS in the Sevenoaks District are available to support and give advice at transition events and meetings if a child is on the case-list of a Specialist Teacher.
In the Sevenoaks District, we have created additional guidance documents, templates and resources for settings and schools to use at the different transfer phases. These are available on the pages below.
EARLY YEARS TO PRIMARY TRANSITION
SEND/Vulnerable Pupil Transition Checklist - Early Years Setting to Primary
Sevenoaks District Early Years Setting to Primary Transition Information Sheet
Early Years Pupil Portrait Sheet
Further information regarding moving from early years to primary school is available here: https://www.kent.gov.uk/education-and-children/special-educational-needs/support-for-children-under-5/education-support-for-your-child/moving-from-early-years-to-primary-school
POST 16 TRANSITION
It may be helpful for secondary schools to complete the following form for pupils transferring to college at 16.
Sevenoaks District Information to Support Post-16 Transition for SEND/Vulnerable Students
Post-16 Pupil Consent and Information Sharing
Further, transition information for pupils aged 16-25 is available here: https://www.kent.gov.uk/education-and-children/special-educational-needs/support-for-young-people/education-for-young-people-with-send
PRIMARY SCHOOL TO SECONDARY SCHOOL TRANSITION
Sevenoaks District SEND/Vulnerable Pupil Transition Checklist – Primary to Secondary
Sevenoaks District Primary to Secondary (SEND/Vulnerable Pupils) Transition Information Sheet
Further information regarding moving from primary to secondary school is available here: https://www.kent.gov.uk/education-and-children/special-educational-needs/support-for-school-age-children/education-support-for-your-child/moving-primary-to-secondary-send
RESOURCES
Autism Education Trust - Transition Toolkit - Helping you support a child through change
Moving from primary to secondary school - Supporting pupils with an autism spectrum disorder
