Abstract
The Department of Education and Science (DES, 1989) published a report by Her Majesty's Inspectorate (HMI) based on visits to primary schools in summer 1986, and to secondary schools in spring 1987. Many of the pupils who were seen in their primary schools were again encountered after they had completed almost two terms of secondary education. The report concluded that, while teachers worked hard to ensure pupils transferred without ill-effects, schools were not achieving effective links in all aspects of the curriculum. Moreover, while parents and governors were usually well briefed, the opinions of pupils were largely overlooked, a fact which HMI found disappointing as the majority of pupils were thoughtful, informative and articulate when discussing their transfer. Now, ten years later, there is renewed concern about pupils' academic progress when they make the transfer from primary to secondary schools.
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