Stepping Stones

Stepping Stones was launched in 2016. It was designed and piloted by teachers from three London secondary schools in collaboration with a youth-focused not-for-profit organisation and the GLA. Over 200 pupils benefited from support provided through the programme in 2016-17.

An independent evaluation found that the programme had helped vulnerable young people as they transition to and settle into secondary school. This included evidence of benefits in terms of attainment, behaviour and attendance for Year 7 students.

Following the success of the pilot programme, 14 more London schools were awarded grants through the Mayor's Young Londoners Fund in 2018. Schools ran Stepping Stones activities over two years, benefiting over 2000 pupils. 

Fourteen schools are currently running the programme through the Violence Reduction Unit’s Supporting Inclusive Schools programme.

The transition from primary to secondary school is a period of significant change for young people. 

It is important to acknowledge that some young people also struggle with this change more than others. Where children struggle this can result in a decline in wellbeing, behaviour, attendance and attainment.

The Stepping Stones toolkit has been designed to support teachers in the delivery of transitions activities in their school. It contains:

• guidance on a range of transition activities
• free, tried-and-tested resources that teachers can use to help prepare pupils for their first year in secondary school.

These activities can be run as part of a transitions package or as one-off activities. 

The toolkit was produced by the GLA, three Stepping Stones pilot schools and independent experts Traverse: Gladesmore Community School; The Urswick School; Heathcote School and Science College.