What your child may be feeling
- Excited but nervous about a bigger school
- Worried about making friends
- Concerns about getting lost or managing new routines
- Pressure about workload and expectations
Reassurance: These feelings are completely normal.
How Parents Can Help at Home
Practical Preparation
- Visit the school (open evenings / online tours)
- Practise the journey together
- Get organised early (uniform, timetable, bag routine)
- Encourage independence (packing their own bag, managing time)
Emotional Support
- Have open, relaxed conversations (“What are you most excited/worried about?”)
- Normalize worries rather than dismissing them
- Share your own experiences of change
Friendship & Social Confidence
- Encourage staying in touch with primary friends
- Support them to be open to new friendships
- Discuss positive friendship qualities
Building Resilience
- Teach problem‑solving (“What could you do if…?”)
- Encourage a “try your best” mindset
- Praise effort, not just outcomes
Transition Year 6 Teacher Guide
Published: June 19