LeadersSafeguardingCPDGovernorHubKeyGPT
Training Hub

Transition to secondary school: pupils with SEN

Whether you're a feeder or receiver school, understand your responsibilities when planning for pupils with special educational needs (SEN) moving from primary to secondary school. Plus, find out what you can do to help the transition go smoothly.

Last reviewed on 29 January 2026See updates
•Ref: 52953
Contents
  1. Take a long-term approach to transition
  2. Work in partnership with the pupil's new secondary school
  3. Find out what SEN provision looks like at the receiving secondary schools
  4. Arrange for an EHC plan review for pupils who have one
  5. Put together a transfer profile
  6. Prepare pupils for the change
  7. Manage parents/carers' expectations 

Take a long-term approach to transition

Under Ofsted's 2025 inspection framework, there is a greater focus on supporting pupils with special educational needs (SEN) to successfully transition between phases. See page 13 of the inspection toolkit.

Don’t view transition as a single event in September – it's an ongoing process throughout Key Stage (KS) 2 to prepare your pupils for secondary school. 

Quickly and accurately identify pupils’ needs, including any emerging or changing needs Develop pupils’ knowledge  in KS1 and KS2, as well as skills across the wider curriculum to prepare them for further study, particularly as they progress into KS3 Support pupils’ transition to KS3, including by delivering evidence-based, targeted support for pupils who need it Work in a close and effective partnership with parents/carers