Bridging the Transition from Primary to Secondary School

The transition from primary to secondary school can often be a difficult time for children, and managing the transition smoothly has posed a problem for teachers at both upper primary and lower secondary level. At a time when 'childhood' recedes and 'adulthood' beckons, the inequalities between individual children can widen, and meeting the needs of all children is a challenge.

Bridging the Transition from Primary to Secondary School offers an insight into children's development, building a framework for the creation of appropriate and relevant educational experiences of children between the ages of 10-12. Based on the five 'transition bridges' - administrative, social and personal, curriculum, pedagogy, and autonomy and managing learning - this book is a complete guide to the primary-secondary transition.

Chapters cover:



A review of the issues and challenges of transition and school transfer;


Management of physical, intellectual, social and emotional changes;


Issues of changing self-identity;


Approaches to ensure curriculum progression and continuity;


Ways to develop cooperation between primary and secondary schools;


Alternatives to traditional primary-secondary systems and pedagogy.


This book will be essential reading for all trainee teachers, undergraduate and postgraduate education students, and those working with children over the transition. The contributors offer a wealth of guidance and insight into meeting the educational and social needs of children through early adolescence.

Alan Howe is Senior Lecturer and Programme Leader in Education Studies at Bath Spa University. He specialises in Primary Science Education.

Val Richards is Senior Lecturer in Education Studies at Bath Spa University, specialising in Psychology.

Chapter 1. Introduction: Exploring the Great Divide Alan Howe Chapter 2. The Emotional Impact of Transfer and What Can Be Learned From Early Years Practice Hilary Smith Chapter 3. Adolescent Development: Physical and Biological Changes Val Richards Chapter 4. Adolescent Development: Intellectual and Emotional Changes Val Richards Chapter 5. Adolescent Development: Personal and Social Changes During Adolescence Val Richards Chapter 6. Smoothing the Trajectory: Primary-Secondary Transfer Issues in Science Education Dan Davies and Kendra McMahon Chapter 7. Mathematics and Transition Marcus Witt Chapter 8. Children’s Reading Choices – Rethinking the Curriculum Anny Northcote and Stephen Miles Chapter 9. The Fundamental Movement Skills Programme (Steps Pd): Physical Development Challenges And Opportunities In The Primary School Context Rachael Jefferson-Buchanan Chapter 10. Becoming A Global Citizen: Cultural Strategies for Community Cohesion at Key Stage 2 – 3 Transition June Bianchi Chapter 11. Managing Learning. An Ecological Perspective on Childhood Mim Hutchings and Tilly Mortimore Chapter 12. Managing Primary- Secondary Transfer: Lessons Learned? Alan Howe