Social stories for school transitions: starting school, moving class and secondary

A transition social story is a short, personalised story that explains a change before it happens, such as starting school, moving class or going to secondary, so a child knows what to expect. This page helps parents and school staff write one for a particular child. If you're new to the idea, start with what a social story is.

Why transitions are hard (and how a story helps)

Transitions bring new places, people and routines at once; a story explains the change ahead of time so it's more predictable.

Where will I put my coat? Who will help me? Will lunch be the same? A transition story answers those questions calmly and can be reread. It's one support among several, not a fix on its own: visits, a key adult and agreed adjustments matter just as much.

What to put in a transition social story (checklist)

Cover the new place, the new adults, what stays the same, what will be different, and who can help.

• ☐ The new place, with photos if the school agrees
• ☐ The new adults by name: teacher, TA, form tutor
• ☐ What stays the same: friends, uniform, lunch, the journey
• ☐ What will be different: room, teacher, timetable, start time
• ☐ The first day, in order
• ☐ Practical bits: coat, bag, toilets, lunch
• ☐ Who to ask for help, and how
• ☐ Feelings are OK: "Some children feel excited, and some feel worried. Both are OK."
• ☐ A reassuring ending

A "same and different" list shows that not everything is changing:

| Stays the same | Will be different | |---|---| | My friends from Year 2 are in my class | My classroom is upstairs | | I still have lunch in the hall | My teacher is called Mr Okafor | | I still wear my blue jumper | Playtime is on the big playground | | Mum picks me up at the same gate | I hang my coat on a new peg |

(Fictional example.) e: New to writing them? See how to write a social story.

Social story for starting school or Reception

Start reading a starting-school story a few weeks before the first day, using real photos of the classroom and adults if the school can share them.

The summer holidays are a good time to begin, building to most days in the final week. The National Autistic Society suggests visiting the school, photographing key people and making a book of photos and information, and marking the start date on a calendar to count down. Include where we say goodbye, where my peg is, who picks me up, and any phased start.

Starting nursery or a new setting

For nursery or a childminder, keep it shorter: the place, the main adult, a favourite activity, and a grown-up coming back at home time.

Social story for moving class in September

A moving-class story explains the new room, the new teacher and what stays the same, and is best read in the last weeks of the summer term and again before September.

Transition days in the summer term

Read the story before any transition day, then add photos taken on the day to an updated version for the holidays.

A new teacher (including mid-year changes)

For mid-year changes, name the new teacher, give a simple, honest reason and list what stays the same.

Example: "Ava moves to Year 3"

(Fictional pupil.)

In September, I will move to Year 3. (describing) My new classroom is Room 6, next to the library. (describing) My new teacher is Mrs Shah. (describing) Mrs Shah wants everyone to feel welcome in Year 3. (perspective) Lots of my friends from Year 2 will be in my class. (reassuring) Some children feel a bit worried about a new class. That is OK. (perspective / reassuring) If I am not sure what to do, I can try asking Mrs Shah or Miss Ellis, our TA. (coaching) After a few weeks, Year 3 will start to feel familiar. (reassuring)

Social story for moving to secondary (Year 6 to Year 7)

Social stories can support the move to secondary school, including for autistic pupils, but they need a grown-up format, real photos and plenty of input from the pupil.

A picture book can feel babyish at 11, so try a one-page guide, a "what to expect" sheet, a slideshow or a phone note. Cover:

• the journey and where to go on arrival;
• real photos of the entrance, form room, canteen and toilets;
• the timetable, bells and moving between lessons;
• the form tutor, who to go to for help, and what to do if you get lost (it happens to lots of new Year 7s).

Give reasons as well as facts, and co-write it with the young person. Our social stories guide has more on stories for older children and teenagers.

Changing schools mid-year

Add who will show the child around, and ask about a visit before the start date.

Everyday transitions: drop-off, pick-up and supply teachers

Small daily transitions can be just as hard, and a short story can make them more predictable.

The busy gate or a different adult at handover can be stressful. A story describing exactly what happens, who will be there and where to wait can help. It works alongside practical adjustments agreed with the school (such as a quieter handover point or a slightly earlier or later collection), not instead of them. If handover is regularly very difficult, raise it with the class teacher or SENCO.

If a supply teacher is likely, a short story about who might come instead, and what stays the same, can help the day make sense. e: see the worked example in how to write a social story.

Back to school after the holidays

A short "back to school" story, read in the last week of the holidays, can explain when school starts, what's the same and anything that has changed.

Free transition social story template

Copy this transition social story template and fill in the child's own school, class and adults.

Title: [e.g. Moving to Year 3]

This is me: My name is [first name]. I am in [current class].
My new class: In [month], I will move to [new class/school].
My new classroom is [where / what it looks like].
My new adults: My teacher will be [name]. [TA/other] will help too.
What stays the same: [friends, lunch, pick-up, uniform...]
What will be different: [room, peg, seat, timetable...]
My first day: First, [ ]. Then, [ ]. At home time, [ ].
Feelings: Some children feel [excited / worried]. That is OK.
Who helps me: If I am not sure, I can try asking [name].
Ending: After a while, [new class] will feel familiar.

Want a heads-up before the tricky moments come round? Get the free Tricky Moments Calendar: 10 printable A4 pages with 40+ changes to prepare pupils for, term by term and on any day, each with a story starter, plus a year-at-a-glance wall page and a one-page story planner. No pupil information needed.

Tips for schools and parents working together

Share the same story, with the same words, at home and at school.

• Write it together: parents know the worries; school knows the routines.
• Name a key adult and put them in the story.
• Count down: a calendar lets the child see the change coming (an idea the NAS suggests).
• Fade it once the child has settled.

Transition booklets and passports tell the new adults about the child; a social story tells the child about the change, so they complement each other.

Making transition stories with ReadyStories

ReadyStories was built by Conor, a teacher, for UK primary and special schools. Describe the change and it writes and illustrates a personalised story for each pupil in minutes, inspired by Carol Gray's Social Stories™ approach. Pupils appear as illustrated avatars, so no pupil photos are needed (see our data and safeguarding page). You can review and edit every story, and the ready-made library includes moving to a new classroom. It's free during the beta, with no card needed.

Become a founding school: free during the beta, no card needed →

FAQs

What is a transition social story?

A short, personalised story explaining a change before it happens, such as starting school: the new place, people and routine, what stays the same and who can help.

When should I start reading a starting-school social story?

A few weeks before the first day, often during the summer holidays, building up to most days in the final week.

What should a moving-class social story include?

The new classroom, the new adults by name, what stays the same, what will be different, the first day, who to ask for help, and a reminder that worried or excited feelings are OK.

Are social stories suitable for Year 6 to Year 7 transition?

Yes, if adapted for an older pupil: a grown-up format such as a one-page guide, real photos of the new school, reasons as well as facts, and practical details like bells and timetables. Writing it with the young person is a good idea.

Can I use photos of the new school and teacher?

Yes, if the school agrees: photos of the building, classroom and key adults make a story concrete. You don't need photos of the child; an illustration or avatar works well.

How do I help an autistic child with pick-up and drop-off?

Talk to the school about what makes handover hard, such as noise or a change of adult, and agree practical adjustments. A short story describing exactly what happens and where to wait can sit alongside those adjustments, not replace them.

Is there a free transition social story template?

Yes, there's one on this page to copy. ReadyStories also makes personalised, illustrated transition stories for each pupil, free during the beta, and you can review and edit every story.

Should school and home use the same social story?

Ideally, yes. The same story, words and pictures at home and school give the child one consistent picture of the change. Update both copies if plans change.

In short

• A transition story explains what's new, what stays the same and who helps.
• Start early, use real photos where the school agrees, and share one version between home and school.
• Adapt the format for older pupils, and write it with them.

For the bigger picture, read our complete guide to social stories.

Preparing pupils at your school for a change? Become a founding school: free during the beta, no card needed →

Parents and carers: get the free Tricky Moments Calendar, and share this page with your child's teacher or SENCO.