Any top tips for your DC starting secondary school?

[Joyfulincolour]

Following on from the useful thread re DC starting in reception, I just wondered if you had good advice for starting secondary school?

It's silly things like swimwear & towels that people (including me) got teased for at school. Would you go for basic but branded like Speedo or Adidas for the swimming costume & towels? I had a swimsuit from the school uniform shop & a towel from home shock - not cool!

I'm going to hazard a guess that you woudl have been teased whatever your towel was and the towel was an 'excuse' by the bully kids. Branded towels are not a 'thing' like bags or shoes.

After the first couple of weeks, you'll be lucky if they even remember their towel! My eldest just gets out of his ("Adidas") trunks and into his uniform.

Dropping off - the roads by schools are usually an absolute no go area at drop off//pick up. Inconsiderate parking, road rage. Frankly, bloody dangerous.

Both of my ddcs have a designated place where I drop and collect - on my way to work, so share a school run with another family, rather than an hour slog on the train - I drop about a 10 min walk away.

The no coat thing is only in some places. All the schools around where i live (South Wales) have most pupils wearing coats. It’s optional of course but luckily they mostly have enough sense to bloody wear one!!

get them to arrange with a friend to meet outside the premises. Much easier walking in for the first day with friends

@Rockbird label backpacks on the inside. Some have a label specifically for this purpose.

My DC have a navy speedo costume (has to be navy) and a dark blue primark towel.

Been through this stage with both of my two.

My advice would be, make sure their bag is suitable for secondary, nothing babyish, as you will soon be replacing it for the more grown up version.

My two hated the school food, said it was rubbish, so packed lunches.

Secondary schools often do equipment checks and detentions issued if you haven’t got the right equipment, ie number of pens, pencils etc.

Much more PE kit required, ie rugby boots, dance wear etc. Uniform is strictly monitored.

Be prepared for much less contact with school, everything is directed to the student.

Year 7 is very heavy on homework.

This is s great idea, thanks everyone

Year 7 is very heavy on homework.

Depends on the school.
DD's school is remarkably light on homework in KS3.

Forget about house key. Key safe on front of house.
With dds 1 and 2 I must have got through 20 keys. Dd3 Just takes the key out of the key safe, opens door, pops key back.

Interesting, our is light on PE kit. Just top, skort, shorts and trainers. School tracksuit is optional, can be replaced with a plain navy one.

Only if you play for school teams you need extra equipment like proper football boots or your on hockey stick.

Maybe they try to compensate to forcing parents buying from just one supplier and having the full name embroided in the PE top.

Yes I was wondering about the school bag. Is a plain navy backpack ok for a year 7 girl? I think she wants something colourful instead but she will soon change her mind when she sees everyone else.

After the first couple of weeks, you'll be lucky if they even remember their towel! My eldest just gets out of his ("Adidas") trunks and into his uniform

Reminds me of when my ds went swimming with the school in year 5. I packed his towel but when he got home, I opened the bag and it was dry. Asked him why? And he said the teacher told them to change quickly so he just put his uniform on without drying himself

Forget about house key. Key safe on front of house

My ds is off to secondary school in September and I've been thinking of doing this. He's so forgetful, I'm dreading it! I tried to get him a bit more independent in year six but I still had to constantly remind him to bring home his lunch box, pe kit etc. I just know if I give him a key, he's going to lose it.

Year 7/8 pastoral officer here. Any major issues/changes at home please let school know. Day to day worries about homework/friendships etc please don't be too quick to step in and get involved. Talk things through with your dc and help them come up with a plan such as talking to form tutor, class teacher, pastoral staff or a friend. If that doesn't help them contact school yourself.

Oh, I just remember: don’t buy the typical thick school tights, they are so uncool. DD wears the 80 deniers body sensor tights from M&S.

Wise words Hell

Kids liking the Nike and converse bags at the moment.

Depends if they have lockers or pipe their bags up for lunch time - blue is more likely to be seen amongst the sea of black.

Attach house key to a lanyard which is in turn attached inside their backpack.

Look at the backpacks other students have - Kanken, Hype, Nike, Animal etc. Girls often want a tote bag in year 8 or 9, but don't get talked into it.

Don't get ballet pumps as school shoes.

You're right about probably being teased anyway-kids are cruel!

Dd currently has a 'tropical' designed beach towel from Primark that she uses for swimming but it's quite bulky to carry. I'll see what the older kids at swimming use & worry about it closer to the time

Yes, the idea to attach the house key to her bag is a very good one! She’s not always that switched on and easily distracted.

Mine used extendable key rings for house/locker keys - these were
attached to blazers (somehow) or bags. It meant they always had their keys as long as they had their bag/blazer!

Bumping this thread (which has been incredibly useful for me) for those who may not have seen it.

Be prepared for the fact you, as parents, are unlikely to be 'drip fed' info like you were at primary. My DS is going I to year 8 and last year was quite the eye opener!