Hi all.
My family and I are moving from Canada to the U.K. in August, just in time for my daughter to start sixth form. Everything’s sorted out with her future school and we’ll be in the country in time for her to register, so there’s no problem there.
Instead, the issue is she’s going to know nobody at her future school, and it’s really stressing her out. Her future school had an induction day for the future sixth formers, but that was in June, and we were unable to take a quick trip over to the U.K. during that time because she was busy writing her exams (Ontario high schools have students write their exams at the end of each semester).
The thought of having to start up conversation with people in her classes, who she thinks have already established solid friend groups, absolutely scares her.
There are plans for her to do a few extracurricular activities, so she will have opportunities to make friends outside of school, but she really wants to have friends at school.
If anyone has any tips on helping DD during this time, or any advice for her starting a new school where she knows nobody, that would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! 
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DD is starting sixth form in a new country
linseylove12 · 28/07/2019 13:54
She almost certainly won’t be the only new person, or the only one who missed the induction day. UK kids won’t have their exam results until August and so some will chop and change sixth forms depending on results. And of those already at the school there will be plenty who are ready for a change in friendship groups and dynamics after five years, so I’m sure will be glad of a potential new (and excitingly Canadian!) friend
In terms of extracurricular, something like Rangers (Girl Guides equivalent for 14-18) could be good for meeting others in a fairly chilled environment.
Just this morning I was talking with my daughter, also about to enter 6th form. She's been doing a couple of holiday activities related to her interests, and one of the things she commented on is the social aspects - she has tended to be somewhat isolated the last few years due to non-overlapping interests especially with other girls at school. In discussing this she noted that a big advantage of 6th form will be that she'll be in classes where everyone else has chosen those subjects - that connection will immediately make getting along / general conversation easier.
Is your daughter going into a state school or an independent school? Either way, there seems to be a LOT of movement between schools for 6th form at most schools; perhaps least so at more selective schools but even they will tend to have additional intake at that point so plenty of new students. Class groupings will change substantially and often be smaller, depending on subjects.
If you are willing to post the region you are moving to maybe one of us will have a daughter nearby we can put in touch with yours! Or what subjects she is planning to do. (we're a science-oriented family trying to get to grips with a child young lady who is planning to to English/History/Maths; and daren't say too much as there is a "risk" maths might get swapped for Geography or German! )
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