SmoothTransition Project
Redefining How Youth Experience School Transitions
How we support the transitions?
Why are we doing this?
SmoothTransition supports adolescents (14–16 years old) in navigating the challenging shift from primary to secondary school. This phase is often marked by stress, difficulties in social integration, and risks of exclusion—especially for students from minority, disadvantaged, or rural backgrounds.
The project provides teachers with innovative tools and a comprehensive Inclusive Classrooms Teachers Book featuring team-building, tolerance, and conflict-resolution activities. Through teacher training, student workshops, and international cooperation, we aim to create supportive school environments where young people feel included, motivated, and connected.
Our objectives are to:
Strengthen students’ coping mechanisms during school transitions.
Promote class cohesion and social integration, reducing conflict and isolation.
Support teachers with evidence-based, non-formal education strategies.
Build a European network for inclusive education, enabling transferability of results beyond local contexts.
SmoothTransition was created to support adolescents (14–16) during one of the most difficult moments of their education: the move from primary to secondary school. This period is often marked by stress, declining motivation, and difficulties in forming new social ties. Students from disadvantaged, minority, or rural backgrounds face an even higher risk of exclusion and isolation.
Across Europe, schools and teachers report similar challenges: rising levels of anxiety, peer conflicts, and disengagement during the first year of secondary education. At the same time, teachers frequently lack accessible, innovative methods to build classroom cohesion and support the personal growth of their students.
SmoothTransition responds to these needs by combining:
practical tools for teachers to manage class integration, prevent conflict, and strengthen tolerance,
workshops and activities that help students develop coping strategies and resilience,
international collaboration that ensures resources are transferable across schools and countries.
Our aim is to make school transitions a positive, inclusive, and empowering experience, ensuring that every student feels supported and connected in their new environment.
Meet the Team
SmoothTransition unites a strong partnership of schools, foundations, and training centres from Poland and Bulgaria. Each partner contributes distinct expertise – from formal education and youth development, to civic participation, digital tools, and inclusive teaching methods. Together, we form a cross-sectoral alliance committed to supporting adolescents in secondary school transitions, strengthening their resilience, and promoting inclusive education across Europe..
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A public sports school in Sanok that combines sport and general education. ZSS has experience in Erasmus+ and international cooperation, with strong involvement in tolerance, anti-discrimination and inclusion campaigns (e.g. Stop Racism, Saynophobia). It coordinates the project, manages dissemination, and hosts public events.
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An educational centre specialising in non-formal learning, personal development, and teacher training. TCPD delivers workshops, evaluation, and educational resources, including methods for inclusive classroom management and conflict resolution. It leads the project’s evaluation and co-develops the Inclusive Classrooms Teachers Book.
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An accredited NGO active in youth education, civic participation, and teacher support. Ornament designs innovative educational methods, runs training courses, and coordinates Erasmus+ projects. Within SmoothTransition it leads teacher training, develops tools for stress management and inclusion, and provides expertise in dissemination and digital resources.