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Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Original poster

My PFB is starting secondary school in September

103 replies

redskybynight · 26/04/2015 14:54

As title says. PFB is going to secondary school in September. As transitions go,it "should" be straightforward - the school is 15 minutes walk away, half of the intake will be from his current primary and he already knows quite a few older children from scouts and a sports club he goes to, as well as plenty of children that used to go to his current school.

But of course I am still worrying :) What do you wish you/your DC had known before they started secondary? Is there anything I/he should be doing?

OP posts:
ElizabethHoover · 26/04/2015 15:22

not to phone your parents during the day and get them to ring school to complain about stuff without telling the teacher first

I say this as a teacher

MirandaWest · 26/04/2015 15:21

My PFB is also staffing secindary school in September. Nearly everyone from his primary school will be going there - there's a school bus from our village and when he's at his dad's house he'll be able to walk. I'm sure he'll be completely but it's just all going to be different. He's not looking forward to having to wear trousers for school (he always wears shorts Grin) but he is generally ready :)

dementedma · 26/04/2015 15:10

It all sounds fine. DS had a very difficult transition due to being one of only two children from his school and ended up being lonely and bullied. In his case, our best friends became the school guidance team who were wonderful and always available for an email or phone call. If you have concerns, flag it up with them, find out who is guidance teacher is and where the learning support base is. I am sure your Ds will be fine by doesnt do any harm to be prepared.
DS secondary also operates a cashless system for meals and the kids have swipe cards which parents can top up, or the kids can top up in school at the machines. Might be worth doing a bit of financial management with him over the summer if this is the case and practicing by getting him to do the swiping and paying at self service tills when out shopping with you.