Best Practice

Reception to year 1: How to support pupil transition

Transition Pupil attainment & progress Reception Key stage 1
Just because a child has reached a ‘good level of development’ at the end of reception class does not mean they are completely ready for life in year 1. Ben Case discusses transition and how we can support our youngest pupils


Spring term can be a puzzling time in the year 1 classroom. The autumn term’s focus on settling in the children can often mask how some are actually adjusting to year 1.

Children are defined as having reached a “good level of development” (GLD) at the end of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) if they have achieved the expected level for the Early Learning Goals (ELGs) in the prime areas of learning and mathematics and literacy (DfE, 2022).

However, it is not unusual to find a child who reached GLD at the end of reception, now struggling in the spring term of year 1.

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