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How to make a smooth transition

Moving schools can be exciting, stressful and challenging. We all have to do it when we make the jump from primary to secondary school, but we also know that – for a number of reasons – many children and young people looked after have extra moves, sometimes in the middle of a school year.

In this post, we look at some tips on how to make the transition as smooth as possible. We’d suggest asking a teacher, your foster carer or social worker to go through the things on the list with you and help you make them happen.

Eleven top tips for a successful school move

  1. Say goodbye properly to your school friends and teachers – perhaps create a memory book or get everyone to sign a t-shirt.

  2. Write a list of all the things that you are looking forward to about your new school, as well as all the things you are nervous about.

  3. Find someone you trust to talk openly about how you’re feeling about moving schools.

  4. Come up with a plan of what you will do in certain situations, such as getting lost or forgetting your PE kit.

  5. Join some clubs at your new school to make friends.

  6. Talk to older children or young people who have been through a school move recently about what they found helpful.

  7. As a care experienced young person you should be entitled to an enhanced induction at your new school. Ask your foster carers or social worker to find out how that can take place.

  8. Plan your journey to your new school and do a trial run so you know exactly how to get there and how long it takes – you don’t want the stress of being late on your first day.

  9. Think about how you will introduce yourself to new people, and what will you tell them (if anything) about living in care. How will you explain, if you have to, who your foster carers are? Role playing this with your foster carers might be useful.

  10. Make a list of the things you are good at. Ask your foster carers to add to the list. Knowing your strengths can help you deal with change and any challenges that might bring.

  11. Do some self-reflection as your first term at your new school goes on: Am I making the most of opportunities to make new friends? Can I find my way around the school easily? Am I being organised? Am I doing as well as I can with my schoolwork? How happy am I feeling as I head into school?