Secondary school - Communal showers? Buddy system?

[itswhereitsat]

We are moving back to the UK next summer from the Middle East and my two sons are age 7 and 12. Do you know if most secondary schools have a 'Buddy' system? For example, would they ask a child to be a buddy to my son while he finds his feet? I remember being a buddy myself at secondary school.
Also, do school in the UK still have the horror of communal showers? Oh my, I hated that. We were made to strip off which the teacher watched to make sure we showered. Hated it. Do they still do this in schools?
My 12 year old's current school is very conservative and they have sports at the end of the day so never an issue.

[Linneasweet]

Some secondary schools have buddy systems, some don't so depending on the school. I don't think many schools even have showers anymore, my Dd's definitely don't.

[dementedpixie]

My kids don't shower (no time anyway). Not sure about buddy system

[pikapikachu]

No communal showers and yes to the buddy system here (state school)

Are you going state or private?

[itswhereitsat]

@Pikapikachu. It will be a state school. Although we can't apply until we are there and heard some horror stories about being waiting months to be offered a place at a failing school, miles away.

[malmontar]

Most schools have buddy systems for new kids. Our school has showers in the pe changing rooms but that's only because it's very old. No one uses them and you wouldn't have time anyway.

[MinnieSquidge]

Yes to the buddy system and no to the communal showers. My school has showers, but individual ones that aren't used after PE lessons, but are available for after team fixtures if the kids want to use them... most just go home filthy (think rugby) and wash at home.

[TeenPlusTwenties]

At DD's school it would also be yes to buddy system and No to showers.

[clary]

No showers in any school I know of. Buddy system would depend on the school but you could ask for one I guess.