Helping your child be organised at secondary school

[KenAdams]

My child can't walk up the stairs without losing or forgetting something.

I really need to help her to be more organised for secondary school so she knows which books to take in each day etc, but I'm not going to manage it for her, she needs to learn to get herself sorted.

Does anyone have a good system that helps their child please?

Does she have ADHD? Sounds like me and I manage ok. Just 🤣

For DC1 we coloured in the timetable to match the colour of his exercise books (geography was yellow, maths - purple, etc).

it really helped with a visual reminder of what was needed each day.
Also with food tech, the recipe book was on line and they worked through the recipes in order so I always knew what we needed for the next week - no last minute panic trips to the supermarket!

My biggest advice is you need to let them fail - yes jog their memory but teachers will be lenient at the beginning so let them mess up up that point rather than down the line. Unless significant sen/disabilities they will learn quickly, and even with Sen it's important to to equip them with self help skills rather than doing's things for them (both of mine have sen)

It's the next stage of moving on. I'd suggest she packs her books up the night before along with PE kit and you give her a gentle reminder for first few days to have a think if she's done any homework that needs to be in.

Not sure what all secondary schools are like, but DD's school soon got them focused - missed homework meant detention - that really gets them focused! Still worth labelling things, just in case anything gets left somewhere - it'll be clear it's hers and not someone elses.

We have been advised by the school to help them with their books for the first few weeks (some will need help for a bit longer and this is ok).
Have two sets of stationary - one in the bag and one at home (maybe even two calculators).
have two PE kits (use local FB groups or charity shops).
have two school ties.

give them a calm environment to do their homework after school, and opportunities to talk to people if they need to (allow quiet time they have the chance to build up the confidence to talk about their day).
I have got all uniform second hand either free from FB local sites or from local charity shop in case anyone is struggling it is possible, although helps to start looking a bit earlier. I lie, I bought a new tie and was given one too.

No ADHD, she's just forgetful!

2nd week in and no books have come home yet so fingers crossed most homework will be online. One teacher has asked for it to be physically brought in though in addition to submitting online so hopefully she remembers to do that. Not sure when homework will ramp up though so we'll have to adapt our approach if needed.