As the start of the new academic year arrives, the former year sixes get ready from being the oldest in the year to being the youngest. A new school, new friends and new life is ahead but is this too much for an eleven year old to cope with?
There is an argument that both academically and socially the transition from primary school to secondary school can do more harm than good. Evidence states that academic standards are likely to drop when a child changes school. At the age of eleven, the change of schools means a different environment, different teacher and different friends. This sudden change can affect the child's stability. Former education Secretary Baroness Estelle Morris therefore suggest ages 5-14 schools as well as 14-19 schools. By doing this, it would prevent that sudden shock from moving school as well as possibly ridding the system of GCSEs. The Baroness explains that "Its not until the age of fourteen that the curriculum offers different options to different children", so therefore