The impact of primary - secondary transitions on children’s educational and wellbeing outcomes: Fact or Fiction?

The transition from primary to secondary school is viewed as a crucial and significant period in much of the existing literature and has received more focus than any other educational 14 transitions. However, despite primary-secondary transition being so important, it is a neglected area of educational research in general.
The Scottish Government commissioned a systematic literature review of international primarysecondary transitions research to inform a Scottish empirical study as well as to inform policy and practice in this area. Using a quiz and interactive game, this presentation will focus on the findings of the literature review and recommendations for policy, practice and research. Research Questions: 1.What does the evidence from the UK and other countries suggest about the impact of the primary to secondary transition on educational outcomes and wellbeing?; 2.What does the research suggest about the experiences of children and young people during their transition from primary to secondary?; 3.What are the key factors that make a positive or negative contribution to the primary-secondary transition?
We used the Evidence for Policy and Practice Information and Co-ordinating Centre (EPPI-Centre) approach to systematic literature review. Based on the inclusion criteria and Weight of Evidence, 96 papers were analysed.