Schools can choose to complete the professional learning individually or collaboratively with other staff or partner schools. The resources require participants to actively engage in the learning process through reflection activities and to consider how the evidence base can be applied in their own school context and communities.

A shared and accurate understanding of the evidence base and practices for transition is essential for success. These school-facilitated workshops are designed to support the implementation of continuity of learning and transition from Stage 3 to Stage 4 within a school network.

Target audience

• Directors, educational leadership
• School leaders
• Transition coordinators

Purpose

These resources are designed to assist schools in strategically planning and evaluating continuity of learning practices to enhance student learning outcomes during the transition from primary to high school.

When and how to use

These resources can be utilised by schools to evaluate their primary to high school transition initiatives. Workshops consist of 60 minute, school-facilitated sessions.

These resources aim to support schools to engage with the core knowledge about continuity of learning and transition. A school network approach is recommended to foster a shared understanding among participants.

Facilitators can use the presentation to promote discussion within each workshop.

Evidence base

Evidence shows that relational trust between partner schools creates a strong foundation for supporting each student's continuity of learning during the transition from primary school to high school:

• Contributing to continuity: supporting children to progress in their learning across our education system.
• Encouraging a sense of belonging and connectedness in secondary schools.
• What Australian students say about transition to secondary school.
• Transitions – Australian Education Research Organisation.

Workshops

1. Exploring the evidence base to support effective transition
2. Supporting transition through the curriculum
3. Planning for effective transition
4. Embedding transition practices
5. Evaluating evidenced-based transition practices

Alignment to Our Plan for NSW Public Education

This resource is aligned to the following focus areas and actions within Our Plan for NSW Public Education:

• advance equitable outcomes, opportunities, and experiences
  • develop targeted, differentiated, evidence-informed initiatives and supports
• deliver outstanding leadership, teaching, and learning
  • support schools to deliver school excellence through continuous improvement
  • improve how data is used to inform teaching
• strengthen student wellbeing and development
  • improve support for students at all transitions throughout schooling.

Alignment to the School Excellence Framework

The key themes that align to the School Excellence Framework (staff only) include:

• transitions and continuity of learning
• curriculum provision
• whole school monitoring of student learning.

Alignment to Australian Professional Standards for Teachers

This resource aligns to the following Australian Professional Standards for Teachers:

• 1.2.2 Structure teaching programs using research and collegial advice about how students learn.
• 6.2.2 Participate in learning to update knowledge and practice, targeted to professional needs and school and/or system priorities.
• 6.3.2 Contribute to collegial discussions and apply constructive feedback from colleagues to improve professional knowledge and practice.
• 7.4.2 Participate in professional and community networks and forums to broaden knowledge and improve practice.

Feedback

Email questions, comments and feedback about this resource to contactcurriculumimplementation@det.nsw.edu.au using the subject line 'School facilitated workshops for transition'.