In England, approximately one in four students “disengage” when transitioning from primary to secondary school, experiencing a significant decline in enjoyment, trust, and feelings of safety, as indicated by a recent report. The study, involving 100,000 pupils, reveals a “steep and lasting” drop in engagement after Year 7, when students move to secondary school at age 11. This is particularly evident among girls who often report feeling unsafe or anxious, and among students eligible for free school meals, indicating lower levels of trust, enjoyment, and a sense of belonging—issues that persist throughout secondary school.
The research suggests that lower levels of engagement are associated with higher rates of absenteeism, a major concern for the government post-COVID. Specifically, the most engaged secondary students are 10 percentage points less likely to be persistently absent than those in the bottom 25%.
Primary school students generally have a greater sense of agency and are more inclined to believe that hard work will lead to success compared to their secondary counterparts, scoring 8.4 out of 10 versus 6.8 for older students.
The decline in pupil engagement is observed across many countries; however, the drop is more pronounced in England, suggesting it is not just a symptom of age but a specific issue within the English educational system.
The findings are part of a research campaign by the Research Commission on Engagement and Lead Indicators (RCELI), led by the ImpactEd group in collaboration with various education organizations. The commission aims to identify points at which pupils start to disengage, enabling early interventions to prevent further disconnection and potential negative outcomes.
Stakeholders, including Sue John, the commission chair, Margaret Mulholland from ASCL, and Leora Cruddas, the CEO of CST, emphasize the importance of addressing these issues during the transition between primary and secondary school. They advocate for a deeper understanding of the factors driving disengagement to reconnect pupils with the educational system effectively.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/education/2025/may/20/one-in-four-pupils-in-england-disengage-when-they-move-to-secondary-report-finds
