Adopted children and the transition from primary to secondary school: an examination of pupil, parent and teacher views

Adopted children and the transition from primary to secondary school: an examination of pupil, parent and teacher views

Caroline Feltham King · Children’s Workforce Development Council / Hampshire Educational Psychology Service

Eleven adopted children and twenty parents returned questionnaires about moving to secondary school; six parents joined a focus group and four teachers were interviewed. Children described excitement about new lessons and friends, alongside concerns including bullying, unfamiliar teachers and disclosure of adoption. The study also identified communication and organisational support needs.

Limitations: The small voluntary local sample had no non-adopted comparison group. Child questionnaires are direct evidence; parent and teacher material represents different perspectives. The results describe perceived needs and experiences rather than causal effects of school support. This practitioner-led project was published within the Children’s Workforce Development Council research programme and conducted by Hampshire Educational Psychology Service, with recruitment through a post-adoption service. Readers may consider that service and commissioning context.

Research type

Commissioned research report

Source reviewed

Full text

Peer reviewed

No

Age group

Children / Adolescents