✨Children in 1st Year were asked about the advice they would offer to children who are preparing for the transition. The overwhelming theme was one of encouragement, emphasising that the transition to post-primary school was not as bad as they worried it would be. ⬇️ 17/18

👉 Both 1st Year children and their parents found 6th Class preparations, open days, and mentoring from senior students at post-primary level helpful for the transition. ⬇️ 16/18

📃Interviews with teachers confirmed that school transition programmes, for example, external visits by post primary school representatives, as well as handovers between primary and post-primary schools were key support measures. ⬇️ 15/18

📝 Overall, parents felt that tests are not stressful for their 1st Year children, with over half agreeing the testing climate in their new post-primary schools is healthy. However, one third were uncertain. ⬇️ 14/18

⭐ Children reported high rating to the following aspects of their school lives in 1st Year which aligned with their perceptions in 6th Class: - the level of academic support provided by their new post-primary teachers; and - their own academic self-concept. ⬇️ 13/18

Interviews with children about their experiences in 1st Year confirmed their happiness and satisfaction with the transfer, in spite of an initial period of unsettlement. Of note is their appreciation of new opportunities, growing independence and maturity. ⬇️ 12/18

💭Children in 1st Year were more likely to agree that their voice is heard, as compared to 6th Class. They reported higher levels of being allowed to make decisions, having their ideas used to change things, and feeling listened to in their 1st Year. ⬇️11/18

While children’s sense of belonging at school is likely in a delicate state of flux as they transition to a new school; results show that children had an increased feeling of belonging during their first term of 1st Year (80%) as compared to 6th Class (48%). ⬇️ 10/18

When asked about the links between their school work and their future career, there was an increase in how relevant children felt their current learning was. Those in 1st Year rated the relevance of what they are learning in class higher than they did in 6th Class. ⬇️ 9/18

📚About 4 in 5 children planned to attend university or college, and their plans to attend (or not) remained stable across the transition. 85% of children responded the same in 1st Year as they did in 6th Class when asked whether they plan on attending Higher Education. ⬇️ 8/18

🏫The study followed the transition of children into 1st Year, and explored their experiences during the first term. Over half of the children believed that primary school prepared them well for the transition with regard to the subjects’ content and coherence. ⬇️ 7/18

🏡Similarly, parents highlighted their sense of positivity about the transition of their children to post-primary school, believing they are ready to do so. Concerns around social adjustments and organisational capabilities were prioritised over academic concerns. ⬇️ 6/18

😌 Teachers expect that approximately 70% of children will settle in, academically and socially, in post-primary school, and adjust to new routines. An even larger proportion (80%) were expected to settle in well with regard to their relationship with their new teachers. ⬇️ 5/18