For many Year 6 pupils, the move to secondary school is one of the most emotionally loaded moments of their school career. Excitement and anxiety often sit side by side – and while teachers want to help, finding the right tools to open those conversations in a meaningful, manageable way isn’t always easy. Premier League Primary Stars has developed a resource specifically designed for this moment, using the familiar language of football to help pupils and teachers navigate the transition together.
Team Talk: preparation for secondary school
Team Talk uses the world of football as a gentle but powerful way into conversations about change. Through thoughtful communication activities, role-playing exercises and practical independence-building tasks, pupils are encouraged to reflect on their primary school experiences, talk honestly about their worries, and build the skills they’ll need in their new environment.
The activities are designed to be low-pressure for teachers as well as pupils. There’s no lengthy preparation needed – everything is self-contained and flexible enough to be used in PSHE lessons, form time, or as part of a dedicated transition programme across the final half-term.
The football framing is particularly effective at reaching pupils who might not typically engage with emotionally reflective activities. Talking about new teams, new routines and the pressure to perform in a sports context creates a natural, non-threatening bridge to the same themes in everyday school life.
“These are very thoughtful activities which support children and manage their anxieties about moving to secondary school with concrete examples and strategies. —-KS2 PSHE teacher”
Why it matters
Research consistently shows that a well-supported transition reduces anxiety, improves attendance in the first term of secondary school, and helps pupils settle more quickly into new routines. For schools looking for a practical, evidence-informed approach that goes beyond a single visit day, Team Talk offers a structured way to build that preparation into the final weeks of the summer term.
Team Talk: Preparation for Secondary School is free to access at plprimarystars.com, with no prep required and everything pupils and teachers need included.
