Moving On Up - Teacher & SENCo Companion

Smooth moves to secondary school, for every pupil. 🌈

Research shows that pupils with SEN can have transitions as successful as their peers, especially when planning starts early and primary and secondary schools work together. This guide gives both schools a clear, joined-up plan.

The Moving On Up Teacher & SENCo Companion is a calm, quick-reference guide for Year 6 and Year 7 staff. It pairs with the pupil’s Moving On Up workbook, so support starts with the pupil’s own voice.

WHAT’S INSIDE (12 pages):
🌈 About This Guide – the workbook pages to ask the pupil for
📖 Transition at a Glance – what changes, and what the research says
🗓️ Before the Move – primary and secondary checklists, plus key dates
🏫 Making It Familiar – visits, photo books, maps, timetables and new words
⭐ The First Weeks – key adult, safe place, help cards and early flexibility
✅ Classroom Adjustments – tick-box lists for organisation, getting around, unstructured times, learning, homework and wellbeing
🤝 Friendships and Belonging – buddies, clubs and a kind culture
👪 Working with Families – contact plans and the October review
📊 Settling-in Tracker – a first half-term review form
⭐ Top 10 for Great Transitions – a staffroom poster

HOW IT HELPS:
✔ Joins up primary and secondary planning
✔ Based on research and statutory guidance
✔ Quick to read, perfect for busy staff
✔ Turns pupil voice into practical support from day one
✔ A tracker that builds evidence for reviews and support plans
✔ Pairs with the Moving On Up workbook

PERFECT FOR:

• Primary and secondary SENCos and inclusion leads

• Year 6 teachers and Year 7 tutors

• Teaching assistants, learning mentors and pastoral staff

• Transition coordinators and staff training

WHAT YOU GET:

• 1 printable PDF file, 12 pages, A4 size

• Prints on US Letter too: just choose “Fit to page” in your print settings

• Print the tracker and Top 10 poster as many times as you like

• Instant digital download, so no physical item will be posted

PLEASE NOTE
This guide supports great practice alongside the SEND Code of Practice and any SEN Support plan or EHCP. Statutory dates apply in England at the time of writing (2026).
© 2026 The SEN Advocate. For personal and educational use only. Not for resale or redistribution.