So far my Yr 6 DS has had a visit to his secondary school, 2 open evenings with us, CAT tests for a morning, a family interview,

KM1, I was so stressed the other day I nearly started a thread to say how stressed I was and I never do that. Am just about to go and brave DD's school fayre and then am going to collapse in a sobbing heap in the corner !

OrmIrian - he heard yesterday that he didn't get into the school of his choice in the "second round"^ but he is right at the top of the waiting list - so if a child doesn't show up at the beginning of September, he can have the place. Otherwise he'll be going to the same school as his brother (which is what we had hoped to avoid). Ho hum...

My Yr 6 has had a visit to school with us, visit by teacher to her, six one-hour evening sessions at the new school, she'll go to an induction day next Weds, then we'll go to open evening next Thurs... it's a lot isn't it? In my day, we just turned up on Day One and got on with it!!

And I'm still not entirely sure what uniform I have to get her...

I sympathise Chocolateteapot. My ds is starting juniors at the same time as my dd starts secondary school. The end of term is normally busy but this is ridiculous!! I can't wait for the holidays either!

My DD is starting Middle School in September so a little bit different as younger. We've had two meetings so far, the head of Year has visited them twice and they are off for the day next week. Also things like concerts and sports stuff with the other first schools to get them mixing more.

I've also got DS starting first school which has been 7 afternoon sessions, two parent meetings and the teacher has been to visit his nursery. He is completely and utterly unphased about starting in September now as it feels so familiar to him.

I am rapidly losing the plot trying to juggle all their leaving/starting activities but am really pleased they are available. Looking forward to 22nd July when I can collapse in a heap !

OrmIrian - it sounds a lot, but actually you are lucky.

My DSS2 doesn't even know where he will be going to secondary school in September - primary school has broken up already...

That does sound rather hard on him rebel. I hope he really hits it off with the other lad.

Glad he had a good day.

DS2 is one of eight going to his secondary (180 entry) and he's not with any of his friends. I know the reasons why (siblings etc) and it's just unfortunate the way it's worked but all the other seven are split between two forms. The school have taken this into consideration and have tried to pair him up with a lad with similar interests so fingers crossed they hit it off next week.

He'll be fine, but can't help feeling a tad sorry for him.

My dd went for her induction day last week. She has also done a 5 week hockey course (one hour a week, in the evening) and is going to finish a 3 week netball course tomorrow night. She's very upset that she won't then be able to go back to the school till she starts in September! She has however, swapped mobile numbers with some of her new friends and will no doubt keep in touch with them over the summer. I think it is all a great way of getting them to make new friends before they start and hopefully make the transition go more smoothly in September.

There are not many going to ds1's secondary (it's not a feeder school), but most of them are in his new form group: 3 other boys plus a girl, which is good.

But he actually seems to have spent most of the day with another boy he seems to have clicked with today. DS1 says this boy is "very clever"

He enjoyed the day today. We are just trying to juggle transport arrangements for Thursday, which are proving tricky.

ds1 is at a whole day there today and has a whole day there on Thursday. He's also had an interview with us with a senior teacher.

They do CATs in September I think.

The induction process works very well here. In years 5 or 6 the children have one whole-day visit with their class and teacher to each of the secondary schools.

In those 2 years they also visit the schools many times for different events - to see plays and dance/music productions, for themed days like maths day or D.T. day, and for primary school sporting events.

There are open days at the end of Year 5 and open evenings at the beginning of Year 6.

The head of year and deputy head of year also visit each primary school and talk to the children about settling in, and ask who the children would like to be in tutor group with - this isn't of course guaranteed, but they ensure every child is with at least one friend. Teachers can also discreetly suggest which combinations of children would not be a good idea.

Then, and this is where our secondary school wins hands down, there is 'turnaround week' during the last week of summer term, when the new Year 7s spend the whole week at the school, in their tutor groups and following the timetable for the next year.

CATs and other assessments don't take place until September of Year 7. Our school doesn't take much notice of SATs at all.

CATS are for streaming. Ds1s school did this after admissions day as having kids of mixed ability was better socially according to perceived wisdom.
otherwise I thinknits good to get them in appt beforehand. Shows they are approachable sort of... One hopes..

Quite normal and all part of the induction process to help the kids transition from Primary to Secondary.

I think the 'makingthe way to school as they will in Sept' is an excellent idea, and will steal it for the school I work in

DS and his Yr 6 teacher had a visit from someoone from pastoral care.
He had CAT tests , an evening where they met their form teacher and parents had a talk from the SMT.The next day they spent all day at the school
Also parents got a short more personal meeting one afternoon.
This year I have heard they have an optional French Immersion day as well.
This is a bog standard foundation comprehensive.

DS1 (Yr6) has had visits by teachers from secondary school to primary.

Today they had to make their own way to secondary for an arts and crafts day - arriving for 9.15 and to finish at 2.30.

They are having their intake day next Monday on the 7th when they will again have to make their own way to and from - starting at 8.50am.

In September he will have to catch a school bus.

We went to an open evening last October.

CATS are less knowledge based, a bit like IQ tests and puzzles and verbal stuff so do not depend on how well taught the child has been. Supposed to be a better predictor of GCSE etc than SATS.

DD does not have taster days at the secondary school although yr 7 head and some other teachers have been to visit and many children know the school from older siblings and going to after school science talks, with CATS in september, her classmates going to the other local secondary have had visits and CATS this week.

CATS provide different information to SATs. They are about aptitude not attainment.