Moving on Up! video transcript

[Moving up! The transition into secondary school. A film by Anna Freud, National centre for children and families]

[Animation of Dele in the playground sitting on a climbing frame looking anxious]

Dele: I love being the oldest in school, it’s going to feel weird having to start again. What if I’m no good at making friends?

[A teacher is teaching a lesson with children, including Eliza, sat in the background on a table doing class work]

Eliza: I really like my teachers; they always help me when I have problems. What if the teachers at the new school aren’t nice or I can’t find my way around?

[Albie searching through a lost property box looking sad]

Albie: Excited about going to a new school and all the new lessons but I’m worried about the extra work and stuff to remember.

[Alisha sitting in the back of a car driving away from primary school and waving goodbye to her friends]

Alisha: Been friends since reception, now we’re going to different schools, excited to go somewhere bigger but I will miss my friends.

[The first week of school. Alarm clock ringing at 7am. Birds eye view of Dele lying in bed looking scared]

Dele: Couldn’t sleep, scared I’d be late, don’t want to be the new kid… I hope my teachers like me.

[Alisha sat at the breakfast table at home looking through photos of her friends on her phone]

Alisha: Wish I was back at my old school; I already miss my friends. Wonder if I’ll like my new classmates.

Alisha’s dad: Alisha bus is here it’s time to go!

[Albie with his bike outside his home saying goodbye to his mum who is standing in the door with his forgotten backpack]

Albie: Yes, I know I won’t forget! Bye Mum!... Oh wait!

[Albie’s mum hands over his backpack]

Albie: I hope I am less forgetful in school, there’s so much to remember.

[The driver of the school bus stops to pick up Eliza. Eliza gets on the busy bus and searches for a seat]

Eliza: Please let me find a seat next to someone nice, anyone… she looks as nervous as me” …

[Eliza sits next to Alisha]

Eliza: Hi, I’m Eliza.

[Albie standing outside the school gate feeling anxious around other children]

Albie: Feel like everyone is looking at me, can’t see anyone I recognise.

[Albie picks up a planner belonging to Alisha which fell on the floor]

Albie: Oh no I forgot my planner on the first day!

[Albie hands over the planner to Alisha]

Alisha: You can look at mine if you like... do you want to walk in together?

[Eliza searching a map in a busy school corridor]

Eliza: Don’t think I’m in the right place, now I’m going to be late for my lesson.

[School teacher shows Eliza where her classroom is by pointing to the correct door]

Eliza: He was nice now all I’ve got to do is avoid Year 11’s!

[Dele slumped at his desk in a school lesson]

Dele: Lessons are so hard, don’t want to be here, just going to keep to myself. Who will I sit next to at lunch? At least it will be halfway to home time.

[One month later. Dele sat at home playing video games]

Dele: Albie have you done that Maths homework yet? It was really hard, took me ages!

[Albie sat at home playing video games]

Albie: Yeah, but we’ve got so much homework to do. I’m always late handing stuff in.

Dele: Talk to Mr. Shah, he helped me work out a plan… It made me feel less stressed just to talk about it.

[Albie, Eliza and Dele playing video games]

Eliza: Can I give you both some advice? Look behind you!

[Alisha sat on a bench in the school playground with a teacher]

Alisha: No-one in my form seems interested in the things I like.

Adult: Sorry to hear that Alisha. How about trying some of the lunchtime or after-school clubs? You might meet people who enjoy the same things as you.

Alisha: Guess I could try one, it might be fun.

Adult: Well done and remember settling in somewhere new takes time.

[Eliza walking through the school corridor with a smile on her face]

Eliza: I’m finally going to be early for English, can’t believe I used to struggle so much with direct…oh!

[Eliza opens a door to find it is a storage cupboard, not her classroom. Albie speaks to Eliza from across the corridor next to lockers]

Albie: Don’t worry Eliza, we all make mistakes. Remember when I called Mrs Taylor “Mum” by mistake! [laughter]

[The end of Year 7. New Year 7s arriving to school with Albie, Dele, Alisha and Eliza watching from a bench in the background]

Eliza: Look how nervous they are! I can’t believe that was us less than a year ago!

Dele: I know! If I could go back, I’d just tell myself that everyone was in the same boat and was probably just as nervous as I was!

Albie: I should have spoken to Mr. Shah earlier. When I did speak to him it helped me get organised and I worried about it less.

Alisha: I found a lot of Year 7 pretty tough, I still do…finding friends was tricky, so glad I met you guys.

[You’re not alone if you are feeling worried about moving into secondary school. Talk to a trusted adult or friend if you have any concerns. There are lots of ways to look after your mental health, including self-care: www.annafreud.org/selfcare]

[School staff: Join Schools in Mind for the accompanying teacher toolkit and other evidence-based mental health resources, www.annafreud.org/schoolsinmind]