Rhiannon Packer is a currently a senior lecturer in Additional Learning Needs and teaches on both undergraduate and postgraduate courses at Cardiff Metropolitan University. She worked for nine years as a secondary school teacher and was a Head of Year for five years before moving into Higher Education. Her research interests include transition for learners with Special Educational Needs, the learner journey for quiet, shy and anxious children, supporting learners with Specific Learning Difficulties and bilingualism.

Transitions in education are known to have an impact on learners both in social and emotional terms as well as academically. This article argues that transition experiences should be regarded as an on-going process rather than a one-off event. The move from compulsory education at the age of 16 can have a significant impact on engagement and retention, particularly for learners with additional learning needs (ALN), yet this is an underexplored area. While the transition from compulsory education to a further education (FE) setting brings increased independence, new opportunities and the emergence of adulthood, it can also be a time of trepidation and uncertainty for all learners, including those with ALN. Using an interpretive methodology, the voices of key stakeholders in the transition to FE from one setting were recorded to explore and inform good practice. Data were gathered using online questionnaires, interviews and focus groups. Findings ascertained the value of nurturing effective practitioner-learner relationships in preparation for transition, the importance of developing peer support networks and the provision of a central, safe space that is accessible to learners with ALN at all times.

Transition has an impact upon the emotional and social development of the individual as well as academically. This paper argues that transition is not a one-off event but is an ongoing process that is repeated over time. In entering further education (FE) the impact of transition in the move from formal schooling to post-compulsory education is no less daunting. Emerging independence and exploration of self-identity are fundamental in adulthood; however, individuals often need guidance and support during this process. Using an interpretive methodology, the voices of key stakeholders in the transition to FE were sought and recorded to explore and inform good practice. Data was collected using online and paper questionnaires, interviews and focus groups. Findings concluded the value of active and supportive relationships between learners and practitioners and between learners and their peers during the transition process. Nurturing effective practitioner-learner relationships, with opportunities to visit the setting promoted increased engagement by learners and facilitated learner identification with the learning environment, thus ensuring smooth transition.

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The authors delivered and facilitated a panel discussion at the London International Conference on Education (LICE-2017) based on a recently published book [1]. It is recognised that high-quality early years education is of prime importance in enabling our youngest children to develop and learn to their full potential. To achieve this, they require high quality early years practitioners to support their learning and development. Early years practitioners need to integrate theory, the 'why', with practice, the 'how', across all areas of the curriculum. This paper provides a discussion on selected curriculum areas: Literacy, Mathematics and Science alongside a discussion on current policy and the importance of play and playfulness. It includes reference to current research and case study material to demonstrate how the integration of 'why' and 'how' might be achieved during the training of early years students and practitioners. In addition, it reports recent feedback from a short survey undertaken with early years students using the book and these materials in their training. Students reported greater understanding of concepts and theories and how they could incorporate this within their practice as well as feeling they were receiving extra in-class time from having a text written by their tutors.