What is this page?

On this page, we present the BELONG framework for parents and carers. The framework provides key information to parents and guardians in England, who are either considering or in the process of moving their child to another school outside the normal time for school transitions. 

The information included in the framework is based on data collected as part of the School MOVES project at the Universities of Birmingham and Warwick. As part of the project, we have gathered what children and young people, their families, schools and local authority staff have told us about what is helpful and what could be improved when pupils move schools.

How to use it

The BELONG framework groups together these ideas and experiences into six key areas that families should think about when moving school at non-standard times in England. Every school move is different and  it may be that not all information is useful to you or your child’s specific situation or age. You can use the BELONG framework or parts of it to learn more about moving school or use it in conversations with your child about their school move. Another page with information for children and young people moving school is also available here.

Need help reading this page?

If you prefer to read the information in another language, you can translate the page by using the Translate function on your internet browser. You can also choose to have the page read aloud to you, by pressing Shift+Alt+R on a computer or using the Listen to page mode on your mobile.

We’d love your feedback…

Children and young people have different experiences of moving school. Schools may also work differently depending on whether they are primary or secondary schools. Therefore, some of the information in the framework may not be directly relevant to your circumstances or situation.  

As the framework is still in development, we would like to hear whether it was helpful for you. We would really appreciate it if you would complete a short questionnaire at the end of the page to tell us how you found the information and if anything could be improved or added. 

We look forward to hearing what you think and hope this page will be helpful to you and your child when moving school.