BBC Bitesize supports pupils starting secondary

BBC Bitesize, working with the charity YoungMinds, is starting a new campaign to support pupils, parents and teachers in the critical step of beginning secondary school.  

Packed with videos, interactive games, tips and advice, Starting Secondary School will help children during their last term in primary school and through their critical first weeks at secondary school.
 
Moving from primary to secondary school is an exciting time for many young people, but it can also be a daunting prospect. Research shows that, for some young people, it can negatively affect their social, emotional and academic outcomes leading to less engagement, lower attainment, reduced confidence, increased anxiety, loneliness and behaviour issues.
 
Helen Foulkes, Senior Head of Content Production, BBC Education says: “Beginning secondary school is a huge milestone for children and research repeatedly shows that if it goes badly there can be long term consequences. The BBC is working in partnership with YoungMinds to help support children directly, but also provide advice for parents and resources for teachers. We hope this will further support the schools and charities working hard to ease transition at such an important time in children’s lives.”
 
Starting Secondary School has lots of content hosted on BBC Bitesize, including peer-to-peer advice from the stars of CBBC series Our School who have first-hand experience of making the move to secondary school.

It also has practical tips for parents on how to prepare their child for secondary school, as well as resources for teachers on BBC Teach, to help start discussions around transition, produced in partnership with YoungMinds

More content will be added each week at www.bbc.com/startingsecondaryschool