Transition: a systematic review of literature exploring the experiences of pupils moving from primary to secondary school in the UK

This paper reports the findings of a systematic review of qualitative research exploring the views and experiences of pupils moving from primary to secondary school in England. The concept of transition is explored before a brief discussion of the policy and legislation surrounding educational transition. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) framework was used to ensure a systematic search, following which seven papers were identified. These were reviewed and appraised using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme checklist. Analysis of the literature using thematic synthesis identified key concerns for children who had undergone transition from primary to secondary school and factors that supported this. A key theme highlighted was that of relationships, suggesting this as an area that would benefit from further support. Additional factors including emotions, identity, environment and strategies/recommendations were explored. This review is relevant for professionals working with children who will, or have, undergone the transition from primary to secondary school, and explores recommendations to support this transition.