Year 6 to Year 7 Transition: How to Help Your Child Feel Ready for Secondary School

Don't miss our FREE Resource at the end that makes the Year 6 to 7 transition smoother for both you and your child.

The move from Year 6 to Year 7 is one of the biggest milestones in your child’s school journey. It brings excitement with new friends, subjects, and opportunities, but also some understandable worries:

  • Will they manage the pace and independence of secondary school?

  • What if they find it hard to settle socially?

  • How can I best support them without adding pressure?

If you’ve asked yourself these questions, you’re not alone. Many parents find the Year 6 to Year 7 transition challenging, but with the right preparation, it can be a positive and confidence-building step.

Why the Year 6 to Year 7 Transition Feels So Big

The move to secondary school represents a major shift in your child’s social, emotional, and academic world. At primary school, children are guided by one or two familiar teachers who oversee most of their learning. In secondary, they’ll move between six or more subject specialists a day, navigate a timetable independently, and manage equipment, homework, and deadlines across multiple subjects. This sudden need for organisation can feel like a steep learning curve.

Socially, the changes are just as significant. Your child is moving from a smaller, close-knit classroom into a much larger year group where friendship dynamics often shift. While this brings exciting opportunities to meet new people, it can also mean dealing with the ups and downs of changing social circles. Added to this is the growing role of smartphones, messaging apps, and online groups which can amplify both connection and anxiety.

Emotionally, Year 7 is often the first time children begin to juggle real independence with a continued need for parental support. They may come home tired, quiet, or even irritable in the first few weeks— not because something’s wrong, but because they’re processing a huge number of changes all at once.

For parents, understanding these shifts is powerful. It means you can:

  • Normalise the wobbles – Let your child know it’s okay to feel unsettled in the early weeks.

  • Spot when reassurance is needed – Signs like tiredness, reluctance, or worry are usually short-term and ease with support.

  • Prepare in advance – Talk through what a school day will look like, practise packing a bag, or even walk the school journey together.

In short, the Year 6 to Year 7 transition feels so big because it is. It’s a step into greater independence, new challenges, and new opportunities. But with awareness and preparation, it’s a change that helps children grow in confidence and resilience.

How Parents Can Ease the Move to Secondary School

Research and experience show that parents play a key role in helping children feel secure during this transition. Some simple but powerful ways to support your child include:

  • Talking openly – Discuss what’s changing and how they feel about it.

  • Practising routines – Packing a bag, reading a timetable, or making the school journey together.

  • Encouraging extra-curricular activities – Helping them find new friendships and a sense of belonging.

  • Staying calm and consistent – Reassure them that it’s normal to take time to settle.

You don’t need to have every answer. Simply being a steady presence can help your child feel more at ease during this exciting, and sometimes daunting, phase.

Free Resource: Year 6 to Year 7 Transition Guide

To give you extra support, we’ve created a free Year 6 to 7 Transition Guide. It’s designed for parents who want clear, practical advice on making this step smoother. Inside, you’ll discover:

  • What really changes – between primary and secondary school.

  • How to approach assessments, setting, and school expectations.

  • Why form tutors matter – and how to work with them.

  • The role of extra-curricular activities – in building friendships and confidence.

  • Tips for supporting your child – with smartphones and online life.

  • A ready-to-use checklist – to help your child feel organised and prepared.

Starting secondary school doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. With the right preparation, your child can begin Year 7 with confidence, and you can feel reassured that they’re ready for this new chapter. Download our free guide below.