SixIntoSeven: Transforming SEND Transition with Data

The landscape of SEND provision in England is undergoing major transformation. As reported by the BBC and ITV News, the government has pledged billions in new funding to help mainstream schools become more inclusive for pupils with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). This significant commitment arrives at a pivotal moment, with schools nationwide preparing for heightened expectations around equitable support, accessibility, and early intervention. SEND transition will be a major priority to help with the transformation.

Against this backdrop of national reform, secondary schools have a crucial opportunity and heightened responsibility to ensure that Year 7 transition is inclusive, evidence based and tailored to each learner’s needs. For many children with SEND, the move from primary to secondary is not just a change of environment, it is a major shift in routines, expectations, and the complexity of support systems. Without high quality, holistic data guiding that transition, vulnerable pupils risk falling behind academically, socially, and emotionally.

This is where the SixIntoSeven Transition Portal from Pupil Pathways becomes an essential part of an inclusive future.

The National Push for More Inclusive Mainstream Schools

The current wave of SEND reforms and funding pledges sets the stage for meaningful change. The government’s Schools White Paper, long‑awaited and described as a “major overhaul”, outlines strengthened expectations for inclusion and more responsive support models in mainstream settings.

Key commitments include:

Increased investment, including £1.6bn for early years, schools, and colleges to improve inclusivity.

• A further £1.8bn to expand access to specialists, from speech and language therapists to SEND teachers.
• Plans to reassess Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) at key transition points, specifically after primary and again post‑GCSE which raises both possibilities and concerns about continuity of support.
• A proposed introduction of Individual Support Plans (ISPs) for all children with SEND, increasing accountability and consistency.

Simultaneously, The Independent reports that more inclusive mainstream provision forms the heart of this reformed system, supported by a £4bn package. Funding will be directed toward targeted interventions, adaptive teaching, and a new “experts‑at‑hand” model that makes specialist knowledge more accessible across all schools.

However, despite this new investment, sector leaders warn that funding alone is not enough. Many highlight the need for better data, stronger collaboration, and earlier intervention, all foundations of successful inclusion.

This is exactly why structured transition processes matter.

Why Year 7 Transition Matters More Than Ever for SEND Inclusion

The year 7 transition is one of the most significant educational transitions a child experiences. For learners with SEND, the stakes are even higher. Disruptions to routine, unfamiliar environments, increased academic demand, and shifts in pastoral structures can combine to create barriers that are entirely avoidable if the right transition data is available.

Yet secondary schools often face challenges such as:

• Incomplete or inconsistent information arriving from primary schools
• Limited visibility of contextual data beyond academic metrics
• Delayed access to assessment or EHCP changes
• Gaps in communication between Phase 1 and Phase 2 staff
• Difficulty tailoring provision early enough to make a difference

The new national reforms highlight the importance of early planning and proactive support. But without a clear, structured, and standardised way to gather and use primary to secondary transition data, schools risk missing opportunities to intervene early.

This is where the SixIntoSeven transition portal stands out.

Introducing SixIntoSeven: A Smarter, More Inclusive Transition Portal

SixIntoSeven, Pupil Pathways’ flagship transition portal, enables primary and secondary schools to share essential pupil information efficiently, securely, and in a standardised format. Designed specifically to support Year 7 transition, it ensures that every moving pupil, particularly those with SEND, is backed by rich, meaningful, contextual data that empowers secondary staff to prepare, plan, and support from day one.

At its heart, SixIntoSeven exists to solve a systemic problem: inconsistent transition data creates inconsistent outcomes.

But with the right transition portal, the right data points, and the right collaborative structure, secondary schools can accelerate inclusion rather than waiting for issues to emerge months into Year 7.

Key Features Supporting Inclusive SEND Practice

1. Comprehensive, SEND‑Focused Data Transfer

SixIntoSeven gathers detailed information from primary schools, including:

• EHCP status and related support strategies
• Interventions, pastoral notes, and small‑group experiences
• Behavioural strategies that work
• Strengths, motivations, and successful classroom adaptations
• External agency involvement
• Any safeguarding or wellbeing alerts that secondary colleagues must know in advance

This supports the government’s call for early identification and targeted support long before September.

2. Standardised Data That Reduces Variability

Primary schools use different systems, formats, and terminology. SixIntoSeven standardises everything. This creates a smoother, fairer process where no school or pupil slips through the cracks merely due to data inconsistency.

3. Earlier Planning for Reasonable Adjustments

With detailed information delivered in advance, secondary SENDCos and pastoral teams can:

• Identify pupils needing early wave 1 or wave 2 interventions
• Map reasonable adjustments well before arrival
• Allocate resources more accurately (e.g., TA deployment, nurture groups)
• Plan induction days and smaller transition sessions based on actual needs

These practices align directly with the government’s aim to ensure mainstream settings fully meet SEND needs.

4. A Single, Secure Portal for Both Phases

By streamlining communication, the portal supports efficient collaboration between:

• Year 6 teachers
• Primary SENCOs
• Secondary SENCOs
• Heads of Year 7
• Pastoral teams
• Safeguarding leads

This directly answers longstanding sector concerns about fragmented communication during transition.

How SixIntoSeven Aligns with National SEND Reforms

With the government emphasising inclusive mainstream environments, early intervention, and access to specialists, SixIntoSeven becomes more than a helpful tool, it becomes a strategic enabler for policy implementation.

1. Supports the SEND system overhaul

The reforms call for streamlined EHCP updates and more consistent use of individual support plans. SixIntoSeven ensures all relevant information flows efficiently between Primary and Secondary phases, preventing gaps during EHCP reassessment windows.

2. Helps schools make best use of new funding

As billions are directed toward inclusion, such as £1.6bn for early years, schools, and colleges, schools need to demonstrate effective planning, intervention, and resource allocation. SixIntoSeven provides the data foundation that allows leaders to justify and evidence how funding is impacting SEND pupils.

3. Supports the ambition for wider access to specialists

The planned “experts‑at‑hand” service relies on schools knowing who needs specialist intervention. The transition portal ensures such needs are visible from day one.

4. Ensures stability at a critical moment

Disability charities have already raised concerns about support being withdrawn when “stability is critical.”
By providing a smooth, evidence‑driven transition, SixIntoSeven helps protect continuity.

Why Secondary Schools Cannot Afford to Ignore Transition Data

The national narrative is clear, more children with SEND should be able to thrive in mainstream schools. But this will only succeed if schools strengthen the foundations of transition.

Without good data, the year 7 transition can trigger:

• Misidentification of needs
• Delayed interventions
• Increased anxiety or behavioural issues
• Reduced attendance and engagement
• Escalation to more costly, reactive support

Conversely, with high‑quality transition data:

• Children feel safe, welcomed, understood
• Teachers enter September confident and prepared
• SEND teams can tailor support immediately
• Interventions start earlier, with higher success
• Families feel reassured and involved
• Schools reduce long‑term pressure on specialist services

SixIntoSeven makes this achievable at scale.

Case Study Insights: What Works for SEND Learners Starting Year 7

Across the country, schools using structured transition data report what national studies and government reviews echo:

• Early identification leads to better long‑term outcomes
• Collaboration between phases increases inclusion
• Personalised transition planning reduces the need for reactive support
• Practical strategies shared by primary teachers can prevent crisis points in secondary

The government’s own investment in SEND units within mainstream schools stems from recognising the value of tailored, contextual, early‑stage support.

SixIntoSeven supports this same principle but at the point where every child enters the system.

How SixIntoSeven Strengthens Inclusive SEND Culture in Secondary Schools

1. It makes SEND everyone’s responsibility.

Year 7 tutors, subject teachers, pastoral workers, and safeguarding leads all gain access to relevant data, not just SENCOs.

2. It reduces administrative burdens.

Schools spend less time chasing information and more time planning for pupils.

3. It builds trust with parents and carers.

Families of SEND learners are especially concerned about transition more so as EHCP reassessments loom. SixIntoSeven gives schools the credibility to say:
“We know your child. We’re ready for them.”

4. It builds a culture of belonging.

An inclusive school is one where pupils feel seen before they even arrive. The transition portal helps operationalise that ethos.

Looking Ahead: A Future Where Year 7 Transition Drives Inclusion

As billions flow into SEND reform efforts and expectations rise for mainstream schools to deliver stronger inclusion, the ability to manage change effectively will differentiate thriving schools from struggling ones. Transition is not a side process, it is the foundation of a child’s secondary journey.

The SixIntoSeven transition portal offers a practical, intelligent solution that supports:

• National policy goals
• School‑level inclusion strategies
• Teacher‑level planning
• Pupil‑level outcomes

Most importantly, it places SEND inclusion at the heart of Year 7 transition, using high‑quality data to drive better decisions, better experiences, and better life chances.

Conclusion: Now Is the Time for Smarter, More Inclusive Transitions

The sector is moving fast. Funding is increasing. Expectations are rising and the pressure to deliver equitable support, particularly at transition, is higher than ever.

SixIntoSeven provides the clarity, structure, and connectivity needed to ensure every Year 7 transition is inclusive, informed, and aligned with the future of SEND provision. With national reforms underway and new funding streams available, there has never been a better moment for secondary schools to strengthen their transition processes.

As mainstream schools across the country prepare for a more inclusive future, tools like SixIntoSeven are not just helpful — they are essential.

Ready to strengthen your SEND transition strategy?

Discover how SixIntoSeven ensures every pupil arrives known, supported and ready to belong from day one. Email us at hello@pupilpathways.com to book a demonstration today.