Oh! Oh! My firstborn starts secondary school in September. Surely that warrants a support thread?

Ds is going to a senior school in the next city, he'll be catching the school bus really early, I'll take him there for the first week, I'm hoping he'll meet some other boys who catch the same bus so he has people to talk to.

I suppose I'm pretty lucky. We're moving house and both the primary and secondary schools are very close by so no need to worry about buses/trains.

The schools around here are all pretty good so I know I'm irrational to worry so much - BUT I CANT HELP IT!!!!

OMG I don't need this..how could dd do this to me?? Be 12 in Oct I mean. When/how did that happen? It's terrifying how over 10 years can evaporate.

Hi, new here x

My DD starts in September too. She's only one of two going to her new school - the other is a boy - not good in her eyes!

She's only just going to be 11 as she's a summer baby but she is quite mature and sensible compared to others in her year.

She's very keen to go to school on her own - a 1.5 mile bus ride even though I almost drive past the school entrance on my way to work! I'm sure once the novelty wears off I'll be dropping her 'near' school and she can walk the rest.

However, it's other adults that are making me worried "You ARE taking her for the first few days at least?" and "You're not letting her go on the bus, are you?". Some have primary school kids and some have year 7's. Even though I feel the journey is safe, I don't know what to do for the best - certainly don't want her to be seen as a 'mummys girl' but I think a lot are driven so might not be the end of the world. She'll certainly have to get bus some days as I take DS to primary school in opposite direction couple of days a week. My friends DD is in Year 7 and has to walk past us to get to bus stop so might get her to take DD under wing!

The wait and the worry of whether they get the school they/we want is over, only to be replaced with other worries!

Welcome.

Do they have the info on their web site? Have you checked their ofsted report? The school ds should have gone to has their Ofsted on their web site and there are comments about bullying on there (how the children don't feel safe ) so it can give you a clue of what's going on. (I'm so glad he's not going there)

Some schools have their own shop, in which case they'll give you opportunity to buy during next term.

Can I come in as well.

My PFB (DS) starts secondary in September.

I am bloody petrified - what if he cant keep up, what if he gets bullied?

I have no clue about secondary school, dont even know where to buy his uniform!

It's sooo scary Tawny. Welcome

Can I join too! My DD is going to secondary school in September too, I also haven't heard anything since sending in the acceptance.

She is as tall as me but she sis still too young, there is no way my baby can be nearly 11!

The uniform list for ds's school is on their web site, trousers/shirt/blazer can come from John Lewis, PE kit is from the school as it is all embroidered (cricket/rugby/tracksuit/running (I'd love to see ds run, he can't without falling over, last time he had to run he ended up walking and waving to me as he passed by, quite like the queen!!)) there's alot of it. There's a second hand uniform shop at the school though so I may wait and have a look to see what they have there.

Will wait for 3 for 2 deals for most things, thanks for the tip

Spoke to a friend whose ds is starting the same secondary school as ds - she has not heard anything from them either, so must be normal I guess...[tries and fails to suspend wibbling]

BTW, wait for the M&S 3 for 2 deals - usually start before the summer hols!

(although am now fretting as I have heard nothing since returning the acceptance form 2 weeks ago - must get a grip!)

Same here hippi

Have looked at the website - blazer with logo, tie and both rugby and games kits are only available from local schoolwear store. Yikes.
Black trousers, black v-neck jumper, white shirt, black socks and black shoes are all available anywhere so that should not be too bad.

I tend to buy most of the dc's uniform from M&S so will start getting some bits and pieces for ds in the next few weeks as I am placing an order for dd's summer school dresses anyway.

It all feels so real now..

(although am now fretting as I have heard nothing since returning the acceptance form 2 weeks ago - must get a grip!)

cat64 it was such a good plan....

We've had a uniform list sent through along with a huge pile of forms to fill in (personal info / contact forms / various consent forms etc)

I have not priced up the uniform yet.
The blazer with logo, sweater with logo and tie are only stocked by John Lewis in the nearest city so I fear not cheap. The trousers are plain black and the shirts white so I suppose I can get them anywhere. The rugby kit and general sports kit all have logo too and are only available from a specific sports store in the city so again, I'm not expecting it to be cheap...

Have been saving up for the uniform since it dawned on me last September that it might be expensive so hopefully there will be enough in my pot by July when I go and buy it...

We haven't been sent a uniform list, its all on the prospectus on the website.

We haven't had a uniform list yet either, and I'm now worrying about our letters of acceptance which we sent straight back - hope they haven't gone astray!!!

This feels much more momentous than when she started at primary school!

Eek, we have not yet had a uniform list. Just the one form accepting the place...

Ds has been excited at the prospect of going to secondary school all along, but now the forms have been filled in, and it is officially happening iyswim he is wibbling a bit...

Our evening dog-walk has become a way of familiarising ds with the different ways of getting to secondary school. Luckily two boys next door (currently Y7 and Y9) and the girl across the road (also currently Y7) will be able to 'lead the way' as it were.

Most of my friends are planning to drop their dc's off on the first day. But my nephew (now Y10 at same school ds will attend) does indeed confirm that will guarantee a painful instant social death. "Unless it is done by the back gates and mum does not get out of the car".
I am assuming however I will be at working that day, so ds will just have to make his own way [wibble again]

At the same time as ds leaving the junior school dd will be leaving her infant school. It feels a bit 'end of an era' - ish and I feel old!!!

We had a big uniform list and heaps of forms by return from accepting the place.
Luckily like Grimma our uniform is moderately priced, despite it being a boys' grammar.
He is really looking forward to it.
You do realise that our PFBs are vintage MN babies from its earliest vintage? They should host a party for them at Google HQ

Hi everyone, my dd is starting Y7 in September too....

I used to go on MN quite a bit but haven't been on much for the past couple of years. Funnily enough, I'm guessing I will probably be on the Y7 threads regularly from now on .

Dd will be leaving her idyllic, small, girls indie for a mixed school (ex private, choir school where she'll be a music scholar). Most of her friends are going to her current school's senior school, and as far as I know none of them are going to the same school as her. She does know 2 or 3 children from her drama group going there though. It is both exciting and nerve wracking for all of us I think at this point!

DD has asked me if I will go with her on the first day

I said of course I would, but have my fingers crossed that she will have changed her mind by then!

She can get a school bus with friends from her primary school, so I'm sure she'll be fine when the time comes!

Good idea about trial runs / getting used to using public transport...

Thanks BigTillyMint! I had hoped he'd be a bit keener than he is, but at least he's calm about it, if a bit thoughtful! He's counting down the time left: one term and a bit to go. All his friends are going to the same school and some of them have siblings there already so it shouldn't be so scary, I just don't think he feels ready.

He is however a bit smelly, and a bit stroppy and sulky and answers back, so maybe he's readier than I think! (I pre-empted Lynx by making sure he had Botanics for Christmas - let's hope it lasts.)