Supporting the Transition from Primary to Secondary School for SEN Children with Kirsty Greenwood

The SENDcast

As the new Year 7 cohort settles into secondary school life and the Year 6 students prepare for their upcoming transition, I wanted to highlight this timely topic for our discussion this week. My daughter is about to embark on this journey, and I must admit, the prospect of secondary school feels quite daunting!

A recent report revealed that 1 in 4 children disengage during the transition to secondary school, with their enjoyment, sense of safety, and trust significantly declining in the first year. This understandably impacts their attendance.

In today’s episode, Dale is joined by Kirsty Greenwood, a Transitions Support Specialist, to discuss ‘Supporting the Transition from Primary to Secondary School for SEN Children’.

It’s currently estimated that there are 1.2 million SEN pupils in England without an EHCP, reflecting a 4.7% rise in just one year. Kirsty shines a spotlight on the critical but often overlooked transition for primary-aged children on the SEN register who do not have an EHCP. These are the students who appear to be coping academically yet struggle significantly.

They discuss several crucial topics, including:

• The challenges faced by children transitioning to secondary school, the experience from PE to the canteen.
• The importance of providing meaningful, extended transition experiences rather than token gestures.
• Practical strategies to support these students, ensuring they feel included and prepared for their new environment.

“We need to do more to prepare them, it's too much of a shock for lots and lots of children”. Kirsty Greenwood

Kirsty's insights are invaluable for anyone involved in education, especially parents and teachers of SEN children. This conversation sheds light on the steps we can take to ensure a smoother transition and ultimately improve outcomes for these students.

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About Kirsty Greenwood

Kirsty Greenwood is a dedicated advocate committed to improving the transition experience for children with Special Educational Needs (SEN) as they move from primary to secondary education. Recognising that many children on the SEN register lack an EHCP—and therefore often miss out on tailored support. Kirsty focuses on bridging this gap to ensure these students receive the assistance they need during this critical period.

Through collaboration with families, educators, and local schools Kirsty promotes early intervention strategies, enhanced communication between schools, and the implementation of person-centered planning tools such as one-page profiles and individualised support plans. By championing inclusive practices and advocating for systemic changes, Kirsty aims to create a more equitable educational landscape where every child with SEN can thrive during their transition to secondary school.

Contact Kirsty

https://www.facebook.com/tfortransition

https://www.instagram.com/tfortransition/

[email protected]

Useful Links

High Needs Funding Operational Guide

EBSA Toolkit for Schools

• B Squared Website – www.bsquared.co.uk
• Meeting with Dale to find out about B Squared - https://calendly.com/b-squared-team/overview-of-b-squared-sendcast
• Email Dale – [email protected]
• Subscribe to the SENDcast - https://www.thesendcast.com/subscribe

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