Strategic partnership to deliver joined up, inclusive and evidence-based school transitions
January 22, 2026 – A new partnership between SIL and Pupil Pathways will bring together in-school expertise with powerful digital tools to support early, well-planned and streamlined transitions.
Combining secure, proactive information-sharing and research-led, learner-centred CPD, schools, Trusts and Local Authorities can ensure their learners receive the best possible start.
Why transition matters
Good transition is not a single event but a process. It involves supporting emotional adjustment, building new relationships and developing learner independence – all of which contribute to long-term wellbeing, engagement and attainment.
The early years lay the foundations for future success, nurturing confidence and helping children navigate new social, emotional and academic environments.
When done well, the primary–secondary transition further strengthens resilience, belonging and academic achievement.
However, when children do not feel secure or understood during these crucial stages, it can heighten anxiety, reduce engagement and impact on progress.
A partnership built on purpose
SIL and Pupil Pathways share a clear commitment to early, well-planned and joined-up transitions where no learner is left behind.
Grounded in research and driven by innovation, the partnership brings together in-school expertise and powerful digital tools to support a whole-system approach.
By combining SIL’s evidence-based insight with Pupil Pathways’ leading digital tools, the partnership will deliver evidence-based, inclusive and seamless school transitions.
Brendan Nel, Founder & CEO, Pupil Pathways
“We are proud to be partnering with SIL around a shared belief that good transition is a process, not a single event. Inclusive transitions depend on early insight, secure information sharing and strong collaboration across settings.
By bringing together SIL’s research-led expertise with Pupil Pathways’ digital tools, this partnership enables schools and local authorities to plan earlier, reduce fragmentation and workload, and ensure every learner, particularly those with additional needs, is understood, supported and ready to thrive from day one.”
Research-led solutions
A joint programme of CPD, implementation support and research across Local Authorities, focusing on:
- Developing personalised transitions that prioritise children who need additional support.
- Understanding the impact of structured, consistent and earlier data sharing.
- Reducing duplication and workload so staff can focus on building relationships and supporting learner progress.
- Collaborative research with HE institutions to further personalise transitions and maximise impact.
Ajay Sethi, CEO, SIL
“At SIL, we are committed to developing collaborative partnerships that translate research and evidence into practical, innovative solutions. This partnership brings together educational expertise and cutting-edge digital tools to transform how transitions are planned and delivered.
By acting earlier, sharing information securely and supporting schools with high-quality CPD, it will enable Local Authorities and settings to create smoother, more inclusive transitions – ensuring every child and young person is understood, supported and able to thrive.”
Making transitions simpler and more effective
StepIntoSchool supports effective transition from Early Years settings into primary school, ensuring all children arrive in Reception known and well supported.
The platform enables early years providers to share structured and meaningful transition information with receiving schools, giving a clear, rounded picture of each child’s development, including speech, language and social development, attendance, SEND and safeguarding indicators.
For schools and local authorities, this means earlier and more targeted support planning, and smoother, more inclusive starts for children, particularly those with SEND or emerging needs.
Pupil Pathways StepIntoSchool Overview
SixIntoSeven supports more inclusive and effective primary-to-secondary transitions by providing one secure, consistent platform for sharing key pupil information.
Replacing fragmented data and last-minute exchanges, it gives secondary schools a rounded, actionable view of each learner, including SEND, wellbeing, safeguarding, attendance, behaviour, pupil voice and academic progress.
With earlier visibility of need, schools can plan support, reduce pressure on staff and build relationships before pupils arrive, ensuring a confident and inclusive start to secondary school.
Pupil Pathways SixIntoSeven Overview
Both platforms are simple to set up, easy to use and trusted by schools, trusts and local authorities.
High-quality, research-led CPD
By combining practical strategies with evidence-based insight, SIL is developing a CPD programme to support practitioners to refine their approach and deliver consistently stronger, proactive and inclusive transitions for all learners.
Designed to work hand-in-hand with Pupil Pathways’ digital tools, it will build confidence in using information effectively and tailoring this insight to deliver smoother and more impactful transitions.
About us
Pupil Pathways is committed to building a fairer, more equitable education system in which disadvantaged, vulnerable and additional-needs learners can thrive.
SIL aligns educational expertise, responsive services and high-quality training to local contexts, partnering with Local Authorities, Trusts and settings to ensure every child and young person can learn, develop and achieve.
