The ninth report of the Children's School Lives (CSL) study has been published, exploring children's experiences of their transition from primary to post-primary schooling. CSL is the longitudinal study examining the experience of primary school children in Ireland, led by researchers in UCD School of Education, which commenced in 2019.

The ninth report showcases the experiences directly from children and significant adults in their lives about their journey from sixth class in primary school to the first months of Year 1 in post-primary education.

Some key insights and findings from the latest report include:

• Nearly half of sixth class children (48%) feel they belong in school, though one-in-three say they rarely or never get to make decisions or have their ideas used.
• 84% are excited about having more freedom in secondary school, but 67% worry about losing friends, and a similar proportion are concerned about tests and schoolwork.
• While most teachers expect children to settle well academically and socially, they highlight challenges with structural changes, self-organisation, and increased academic demands.
• Parents are broadly positive but raise concerns about hidden costs, bullying risks, and the social adjustments required.

Early insights from children in Year 1 show greater school satisfaction, stronger feelings of belonging, and optimism about opportunities, even though concerns about tests and workload remain.

CSL is led by Professor Dympna Devine and Assistant Professors Seaneen Sloan, Gabriela Martinez Sainz and Olga Ioannidou, from UCD School of Education, and was commissioned by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA). 

NCCA Chief Executive Arlene Foster thanked the research team for "their continued use of innovative research approaches and methodologies together with their nuanced reporting help to ensure that children’s lived experiences, reflections and advice can play a central role in shaping educational decision-making at a national level."