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Original poster

I went to Year 7 induction day and I am now scared

27 replies

minesawine · 31/05/2012 12:41

My DS goes to a small primary and is starting a large 12 form intake secondary school in September. It was my first choice and is a great school, but I after attending the parent induction yesterday, everything seems real and quite scary.

They were saying that they give quite a lot of homework and that he must manage his homework timetable himself and take responsibility for what is given in on which day. His primary does not give any homework, and I think I will need to work with him to make sure it is done, corrected and given in on time. I think he will be quite shocked by the amount he gets and his lack of freedom.

I am worried about him making new friends as the school mixes the children from primary schools up and he will probably not be with his primary friends. He is quite shy, although very friendly and popular.

He has always been in top groups for everything and the new school said they have 7 sets per subject and he may not be in the top group anymore. I think this will upset him as he is quite proud of being in the top group.

Etc etc.......

There were so many small things that I thought "oh dear! how will he cope" I am probably being really stupid, but from being really excited about his move to secondary school, I am now feeling a bit nervous, which I am hiding from him because I dont want my issues to affect him at all.

Is this normal or am I being really stupid?

OP posts:
Marne · 31/05/2012 12:48

I think its normal to be worried, my dd's dont start high school for a few years yet but my step dd started last year (she went from a tiny primary to a huge high school), she has coped very well with the homework, i think to begin with its a novelty and they enjoy doing it, a lot of the home work is based on fun things (making a model of something, researching etc..), he will get used to it and will work out the best way to stucture his day to fit in the home work as well as doing his own activities.

As for not being in the top groups, this may do him good and give hime more to work towards, i know with my dd she kind of gives up once she's reached the top group and looses interest.

MNP · 31/05/2012 12:45

I think you need to sit down with him and explain what the induction day mentions and how that will need to be sorted, also don't feel like he has to do 3 hrs of homework on a subject heavy night, limit it to 20 mins each and he can always go back and do more, look at the hw diary together once he gets in and have him explain what he needs to do then do some before tea and some after.