Year 7 Teething Problems

[BrandyandBabycham]

How’s everyone’s kids settling into secondary school? DD11 has attachment disorder, sensory issues & possible AD/ADHD but has surprised us so far. We really thought we would have huge battles & meltdowns during her transition from primary. There have been some problems eg school canteen not making the gluten free options clear, loss of a tie, technical difficulties on the payment site & low level bullying ( although this wasn’t in school & DD was unclear what exactly happened) but generally she seems to be finding her feet & has made friends which is great. I am emotional! It’s a huge step for her & I want to support her as best I can & help her to be a bit more independent but equally she’s still my baby & it’s a minefield!

Anyone?

I thought this would be a popular post

Hi OP

I have twins just started secondary, everything was going ok until yesterday when one came home in tears that his ICT teacher gave him a detention. He couldn’t get into his online account so she had to login for him. His brother was in tears the day before, but that was because his brother wouldn’t walk home with him!

I’m a bit that the only homework tracking is done on an app by the parents, they have a folder to put the work in but no homework diary like I had. I don’t mind now but I can see it becoming tedious.

Both boys have SEN (reading at Y3/4 level), the one who got the detention worse, and I’ve not heard anything from the SEN team as yet so I’ll be emailing them today. I’m also a little perplexed how they’ve managed to rack up a £2 each debt on Parent Pay before even being signed up for it!

They seem to be making friends, although still very attached to primary friends.

I am 100% more emotional than them at every stage, I was up all night the day before they started and I’m still fretting randomly through the day. DTS1 in particular is very young (and shy) for his age.

They were born early, had jaundice and then severe speech and language difficulties but I’ve never been so anxious as I am about secondary school!

I remember Year 7 was fine when itwas all new and exciting and the teachers were keeping a keen eye out. Some children unexpectedly soared but for some the problems tended to start as they got a bit more independent even though it seems a lot more independent already.
It's very strange because there is a lot less parent teacher involvement unless things go wrong. The HOY is a key figure if your child has difficulties and the Senco.
I'm saying I wish your children every success and happiness but it's probably too early for problems to start showing up.
I hope it stays positive though

@Didkdt oh god, now I’m gonna worry that this is the calm before the storm!

Be prepared! make sure everyone is aware of your children's needs. For instance the IT detention might not have happened if the teacher was aware of your DT needs.
They are setting out expectations but those expectations have to be realistic and achievable.
They do let them use PP at the start because they can't sort the accounts out in time. That's how they've racked up the debt if they didn't do it that way some children would have no lunch for the first few days.

As I said though I don't want my post to be negative just that they are to a degree all being looked after at the moment but soon the teachers will start setting their expectations.