Moving from primary to secondary school, focus of ERO report

News release from the Education Review Office

10 December 2012

Students moving from primary to secondary school, focus of ERO report

A new report released today by the Education Review Office (ERO) looks at the process of students moving from primary to secondary schools, as well as moving through schools in their early teens.

In its report ERO notes that “transition to secondary school is not a one-off activity”. It also says that “young people who do not experience school support during the transition from primary to secondary school are at greater risk of disengaging from learning”.

The findings in the report, Evaluation at a Glance: Transitions from Primary to Secondary School, are a synthesis of 13 national evaluation reports produced by ERO over the past six years about primary and secondary schools. It also draws on current research.

Dr Graham Stoop, Chief Executive and Chief Review Officer for the Education Review Office, says that transitions are not just for a short period of time when specific orientation activities take place to support students making the move between schools.

“We have found that the most successful transitions happen when a school’s culture progressively supports students as they get used to the new educational and social experiences of secondary school,” he says.

“When transitions don’t go well, the impact on our most vulnerable students may well be reflected in their future achievement, employment prospects and wellbeing. A good start at secondary school is essential.

“Schools need ongoing and different approaches so they can respond well to the diversity of students who will transition to their school.”

The report identifies six factors that effective secondary schools focus on for successful transition of students:
• Understanding the features and importance of education transition
• Preparing well for successful transitions
• Providing additional support for vulnerable students
• Using effective transition processes
• Introducing a curriculum that responds to the diversity of the students
• Ongoing monitoring and review of transition processes.

ERO found that information gathered at the transition from primary to secondary school was not generally well used by teachers to identify what students already knew, and what teachers and students needed to work on next.

It also highlighted the need to cater for students as they transition within the school to more senior classes, rather than only focussing on the move from primary to secondary level.

The report contains information for schools to introduce practices which will help students adjust and succeed when they move to secondary school.

ENDS

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