What the Research Tells Us About School Transitions
Starting a new school is one of the bigger emotional challenges children face. Research published in the journal Social Psychology of Education found that children's most common fears during school transitions include worries about peer relationships, finding their place in a new social environment, and managing unfamiliar academic expectations.
The reassuring finding, echoed across a wide body of research, is that most children adjust well when they have appropriate support around them. The transition feels harder before it happens than after. Schools and parents working together in that first term make the most meaningful difference.
How NAISR Supports New Students in September
NAISR has welcomed families from more than 50 nationalities, which means the experience of being new is something the school truly understands. New students are not left to navigate the first weeks alone.
• A buddy system pairs new students with established peers who can show them around, introduce them to others, and answer the questions children are sometimes reluctant to ask adults.
• Pastoral teams check in with new students regularly across the first half-term, not just on the first day.
• Language support is available for students whose English is still developing. The goal is to ensure that children can participate fully in school life from day one, even if their English is not yet fluent.
• Parent welcome events in September give families the chance to meet each other and connect with the school community. The relationships formed in those first weeks often last for years.
If your child is joining NAISR mid-year rather than in September, the same systems are in place. The school is accustomed to welcoming families at any point in the academic year.
Before the First Day: What You Can Do
The period between now and September is the perfect time to help your child get into a positive mindset. A few small actions at home can make a real difference to how quickly your child settles in.
• Talk about what is coming but keep it light. Children take their emotional cues from parents. If you approach the new start with calm confidence, they are more likely to do the same.
• Connect with other NAISR families before September. Parent groups and informal networks are active over the summer. Getting to know one family in advance gives your child a familiar face to look for on the first morning.
• Sort the practicalities early. School supplies, the route to school, and the morning routine are all worth establishing before day one. Uncertainty about logistics adds an extra layer to the emotional load.
The Practical Checklist: What to Sort Before Day One
•Clothing sorted and labelled. Every item, including shoes, water bottles, and PE kit. Lost property in international schools moves fast and labels are the only reliable way to get things back.
•School bag packed and repacked the night before. Children who help pack their own bag the evening before tend to feel more in control in the morning.
•Stationery and supplies ready. Check the school's list carefully. Some international schools have specific requirements for calculators, art materials, or reading journals that are easy to miss.
•Lunchbox or cafeteria plan confirmed. If the school has a cafeteria, find out how it works, whether payment is loaded onto an account, whether children order in advance, and what the options are. Surprises at lunchtime on day one can result in unnecessary stress.
•Contact details updated. Make sure the school has your current mobile number, your preferred contact method, and an emergency contact who is reachable.
The First Week: What to Expect
The first week at a new international school is typically a mix of excitement and exhaustion. Children are taking in enormous amounts of new information, social and academic, and that uses a lot of energy. Most children come home tired.
This is normal and not a sign that things are not going well. Give children space to decompress in the evenings. Ask open questions rather than firing off a list. “What was the best part of today?” tends to get more out of a tired child than “How was school?”
If your child seems anxious or reluctant in the first few days, stay in close contact with the school's pastoral team. Early communication is always better than waiting to see if things improve on their own.
A Note on Starting Mid-Year
Not every family has the luxury of a September start. Relocations happen when they happen, and NAISR accepts new students throughout the academic year. If your child is joining in January, March, or any other point in the year, the welcome process is the same and the pastoral team is equally attentive.
Mid-year arrivals are more common in international schools than in national systems, and NAISR has ample experience with the specific challenges they bring. Children who join mid-year often find that they adapt faster than expected, because the school is well-practised at making them feel welcome from day one.
Ready to Book a School Visit?
The best way to understand what NAISR is like is to see it in person. Our admissions team can arrange a visit at a time that suits your family, including during the summer months.
Book a school visit
Reference: Hartl & Wettstein (2023). Children's perspective on fears connected to school transition and intended coping strategies. Social Psychology of Education, 26, 679-702. doi.org/10.1007/s11218-023-09759-1
