Children’s experiences of the move to post-primary school

The Children’s School Lives (CSL) study, involving almost 4,000 children across 189 primary schools, provides a unique insight into children’s everyday experiences of schooling. Report 9 in the series, focuses on a milestone in children’s lives – the transition from primary to post-primary education.

Findings show that four in five children in 6th Class (80%) felt their teacher always or usually liked to help them learn, and over three quarters (76%) believed they did well in classwork. Yet 40% reported usually or always worrying about failing before tests. While nearly three quarters (72%) believed schoolwork would help them find a good job, one in three felt they rarely had opportunities to make decisions or see their ideas used in school.

Children look ahead to post-primary with a mix of excitement and concern - 84% anticipate more freedom, but two in three worry about losing friends or coping with new academic demands. Teachers generally expect pupils to adapt well, though they raise concerns about organisation and workload. Parents are broadly positive, while noting hidden costs, bullying risks, and social adjustments.

Crucially, the longitudinal design of the Children’s School Lives Study, tracing experiences over five years, shows that children’s perspectives evolve as they approach and navigate this important educational transition. Encouragingly, early findings from 1st Year point to stronger feelings of belonging, greater opportunities for voice, and optimism about future education.

Read the full report on the CSL website.