Y7 what did you do?

[Mumteedum]

DC has started y6 today. In a year's time it'll be big school obvs and I assume no breakfast clubs?

I have to leave for work at 7.45am and Dc has some Sen plus he's young for his year. Will just have turned 11. School options are going to be either a drive drop off ..or the other school is a half hour walk. If the latter, I don't know that he'll be ok to just remember to set off at the right time on his own. If the former, I'd either be dropping off an hour early or I'd have to maybe find another parent he could go with.

What do people do? Or do secondary schools have some provision for early drop offs?

I'm stressing already 😬🤦🏻

Pre covid ours was open before school start and kids just kind of assembled and hung out. They could buy breakfast as well.

Definitely see what his friends are doing. Mine hung out in a pack with his primary friends for quite a while. It helped they all live near each other.

DC school is open from about 7am, there are (were - not sure in Covid times) places to hang out and get food. Same as after school, there are loads of clubs and then they don't lock up until 6ish.

Phew...thank you. That sounds encouraging. I won't sound like an idiot if I ask about such things at open evenings then?

DDs School canteen is open for breakfast - I assumed most other secondary schools do this?

Our school is open from 7.30 for kids to sit in classrooms and do homework or chat

Depending on the schools start time he may not be waiting long anyway, my sons school starts at 8:15. They are normally open before start time anyway as they know its impossible for everyone to get there bang on time. Usually the canteen or library will be open.

Also he can set alarms on his phone to remind him when to put his shoes on ready to head out the door.

Lots of schools have canteens open as buses are either early or too late leaving no choice but to get the early one.

Would he be able to walk with anyone to school? And of course it is fine to ask these questions at the open days. We asked loads as Ds was going to a school none of his friends were going to. We asked lots about transition and encouraging friendships. They actually do an activity day and deliberately split up the primary school cluster friendship groups to encourage new friendships.

My sons school is open from 8am and he could go and get breakfast. He only started last week, but he will walk there himself. Currently I am working from home so remind him to get dressed and put (he has ASD and ADHD).

When I worked in a secondary there were kids there early (no breakfast at that time as it was Covid times).

My son has SEN and the support for Learning dept is open early I think for this reason. Otherwise sounds like canteen etc may be open re other pp?

The school day in secondary schools often starts a lot earlier than primary school. DD's school started at 8.20 so she caught the 7.45 bus.

Thank you everyone. This has helped

DD is starting year 7 this week and there is a breakfast club. It starts at 7.45 and the school day starts at 8.30.

Leaving at 7.45 for a half hour walk sounds perfect. Get there at 8.15, chat to a few mates, find classroom for 8.30/8.40. Might have chance to get some toast in the morning at the canteen.

@Cattitudes

Leaving at 7.45 for a half hour walk sounds perfect. Get there at 8.15, chat to a few mates, find classroom for 8.30/8.40. Might have chance to get some toast in the morning at the canteen.

Yeah I think it's just the initial bit. He doesn't have anyone to walk with and he seems so very young just now. He's not gone any distance alone and there are some dreadful roads with no crossings. I wouldn't feel happy leaving him to walk alone to start with.

You'll be amazed at how much he grows up in Y6. I remember thinking how DD was now where near ready for Y7 when she started Y6 but but the end of Y6 she was a different child. It'll all fall into place OP. When you look round all the secondary schools in October ask them when their canteens are open - I'm sure you'll be pleasantly surprised.