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RCELI
TEP Metrics
Schools/Trusts
Published
10.22.2026
Peer relationships and school moves
This study investigates the link between pupils’ peer relationships and their likelihood of changing school in England, focusing on how this varies by gender, school phase and the strength of those relationships. It draws on TEP data from 48,146 pupils in Years 3 to 10 across 109 schools.
What to expect
Pupils who report poor peer relationships are around twice as likely to move school as those with very good peer relationships.
The link is consistent for girls and boys, and in both primary and secondary schools.
Moving from very good to exceptional peer relationships makes little further difference to the likelihood of a move, so the pupils with the weakest relationships are where the risk lies.
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