moving on up - primary to secondary

“The transition from Primary to Post-Primary has been recognised as a crucial stage in young people’s schooling career.”

(Moving Up- Smyth, McCoy and Darmody)

PUT SIMPLYStudents are required to: Move from one

education system to another, adjust their behaviour, develop new ways of thinking and enter into new social relationships (INTO 2008)

Broadly speaking: Students experience better transition if they are prepared well and view the transition as an on-going process

WHICH SCHOOL TO CHOOSE???Siblings attended !!!You attended !!!!Co-Ed V Single sexIts been there forever !!!Results, results and league tables !!!Extra-curricular achievements !!!

Choosing a school ???? ……Inclusiveness Ease of access / local !!!Cost !!!Perception and reputation !!!!“The only thing stronger that reality

is perception”

Transition cyclePreparation

Encounter

Adjustment

Stabilisation

Settling In

Most Students First WeekA Quarter of Students A MonthOne in 6 Longer than

a monthSome Not settled

by end of year

Influencing Factors

Family

Sense of Self

Peers

Bullying

Coping mechanismsEnabling students to deal with problems they

encounter, including managing time and negotiating conflict

THERE IS A STRONG RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN COPING MECHANISNS AND SUPPORT

Main Adjustments

Environment /Size TimetableRules/DisciplineWay subjects taught

Preparation

Programmes

People

A Recipe for Success

Primary and Post-Primary Links

Entrance Examinations Subject Choices

Uniforms/Books

SUBJECT CHOICE ?????Look at your strengths:~{ Are you good with your hands?~{ Are you musical?~{ Do you like drawing/painting?~{ Are you neat and careful?~{ Are you logical and methodical?~{ Do you have a flair for language –

reading, talking and writing?

Seven deadly sins of subject selection ………..1. “Only nerds do that Subject.”2. “That’s just a subject for girls/boys.”3. “None of my friends are doing that subject.”4. “I’ll do that subject because it looks

easy/like a doss.”5. “Even though I really hate it, I’ll do that

subject because I’ll need it to get into a particular course in college.”

6. “I’ll be made fun of if I choose that subject.”7. “It will be too hard and I’m not good

enough.”

Links

Primary Post Primary

Pastoral Care Team meet Primary Teachers

Tutors/Year Heads meet 6th class Students

Academic scores

Open day / Induction day

PeoplePastoral Care System/TeamMentoringParents

Student Mentors

ProgrammesInduction Programme

Study Skills Programme

After Schools Programme of Activities

Tutor Programme

Induction ProgrammeHandoverMeet The TeamRules TourClass Groups - Hopes and Fears - Find a FriendSubject Sample

Study SkillsExpectationsTips to help studyNote TakingOrganisation

Tips for Parents

People Preparation

Programmes

Personal Experience ….. WorriesNew subjects…….Having all their stuff …….Timetables …….Rules ……Making friends …….Bullying …….Top of the school to bottom of the pile ….Looking cool !!!!!And all this at a time of big change ……….

And remind them……..that they are not the only one starting secondary school!!!

IF YOUR CHILD DOES EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTIES, CONTACT THE SCHOOL