Presentation Overview

The Scottish Educational Research Association Early Years Network (SERA EYN) are delighted to be hosting this hybrid event on International Education Transitions Research.

We will hear from Sue Dockett and Bob Perry, Australia, who will share their research on Transitions to school in the 21^st century: Insights from national and international research, policy, and practice.

We will hear from Sally Peters, New Zealand, who will share her research on Enhancing Educational Transitions for Former Refugee and Migrant Children and Families in New Zealand.

Key Speakers:

Sue Dockett, Charles Sturt University and Peridot Education Pty Ltd

Bob Perry, Charles Sturt University and Peridot Education Pty Ltd

Sally Peters, University of Waikato

Details of the event:

Transitions to school in the 21^st century: Insights from national and international research, policy, and practice.

Sue Dockett and Bob Perry

Abstract

This presentation is drawn from our latest edited publication of the same title which resulted from an international project involving over 90 authors/researchers from 39 countries. The aims of the project were:

• to provide comprehensive and critical reviews of national research on transition to school over the first quarter of the 21^st century in many countries;

• to consider the ramifications of this research for ongoing national and international practice; and

• to recognise and celebrate the large quantity and high quality of research on transition to school which has been undertaken in many different countries across the designated time span.

The presentation outlines the genesis of the project and emphasises the commonalities and diversity reported in the areas of:

• systemic diversity;

• individual and social/cultural diversity;

• readiness;

• schoolification/schoolarisation/readyfication;

• professional development and collaboration

• continuity;

• children’s perspectives; and

• other stakeholder perspectives.

Enhancing Educational Transitions for Former Refugee and Migrant Children and Families in New Zealand

Professor Sally Peters

University of Waikato, New Zealand

Transitions to education in a new country can be particularly difficult for former refugee and migrant children, as well as their families and educators. The number of former refugee and migrant children entering early childhood education (ECE) and schools in New Zealand has risen sharply in recent years, creating a more diverse population with complex adaptational needs, all adjusting to life in New Zealand. Many teachers are already changing to embrace diverse ethnicities, but it is important to explore further the experiences of former refugee and migrant children and families and the strategies to support their transition to education in NZ.

This presentation shares research which revolves around partnerships between ECE/school leadership, teachers, Settlement Centre staff (in three ECE services, two schools and one Settlement Centre) and university researchers. The study, which is in progress, examines a range of perspectives to understand the experiences of families, children and their teachers through semi-structured interviews with adults and dialogic drawing with children. Initial findings on what is working well, the challenges experienced, and what could be improved for children and families will be shared and discussed. The findings offer valuable insights into transition practices and are informing the next steps of the project, where teachers will evaluate strategies undertaken in their case study settings to enhance support for new settler families in the New Zealand education system.

Date: Monday 21st September 2026

Time: 3:30-5:30 pm

Location: Online, MS Teams and In-Person (University of Strathclyde)

Tickets: Book online tickets here and in-person tickets here.

Organisers: Early Years Network