Hints and tips for those with children moving to year 7 in Sept (aug for those in Scotland?)

[Blandmum]

I thought that with tear before bedtime, fretting about home work and uniforms, it would be time to calm down all the over anxious parents out there!

Things to do as they start to go through the induction period.

1. Find out the name of their form tutor and check if this is your point of contact if you or your dc has any problems in the first few weeks of term.

1. If your child has SEN see if you can touch base with the SENCO and check what the provision will be in the new school/format and dates for IEP reviews)

1. Start sorting out the school uniform now, and label everything including shoes. There are only so many black school shoes around, one kid I knew went home in one size 13 and one size 9 of an identical pair of shoes!

1. Check what they need re pens etc, most schools have a stationary list.

1. Check what the format is for paying for school meals, and get a sample of the prices. One very clever dc of a MNetter tried to persuade his mum that he needed £5 a day! It may be well to let them have school meals for the first few weeks so that they can get used to the new system, people and places, and move to packed lunches later.

1. If your child has 'issues' with another, let the new school know about it! Not all primaries pass on all information.

1. Let the school know if there is anything that your child might find a real problem in the new school, things like phobias. let the school know if there are any issues with home life that might have an impact on how well the child settles.....and if things change, don't be afraid to let the school know.

1. Check the bus routes, make sure that your child knows the end destination of the bus as well as the name of the stop he/she needs. Agree what they will do in case they miss the bus.

1. Tell them to stop worrying about getting lost. If they get lost, as a teacher or a prefect.

10. Reassure them that everyone feels small and young and a little bit lost, even those amazingly grown up sixth formers were little squits once, I know because I used to teach them!

11. At the end of the first day get a copy of their time table, and pin it to your organiser....they will need prompting about what they need for each day. Get them to pack it all the day before and to do homework on the day it is set when ever possible!

12. Tell them to have fun! This is the start of an amazing time for them

At our school the rucksack is part of the uniform (each year has different colour) with a slip in and out name tag which the year 8 find it funny to swap over so tie some distinctive colour wool around on of the handles so your DC can recognise their bag amongst the hundred or so piled up outside the dinner hall. May be useful to do this for other items.
Also don't take anything non essential to school that they would be upset or angry about if it was lost, broken or stolen

Thanks for these tips MB (and Leosdad). DD1 is starting in September and we have the parents meeting on Monday where there is an opportunity to buy uniform - all very well but we haven't had the uniform list yet, so I have no idea what we are supposed to buy. There are official school jumpers AND sweatshirts but I never see any of the children wearing them so don't know which to do if either. I've seen some boys wearing a blazer, but if the girls have one they don't wear that either. They seem to be in untucked shirts and trousers all year round.
There is vast quantities of PE kit to be bought apparently, but who knows how much of it is going to get used. It is all a bit flummoxing tbh.

Ours have to wear a blazer, but the jumper bought for DC1 still looks brand new and maybe DC4 might get round to it so some of the "winter" type items can be left a little longer.

Other reminder is the oyster zip card for those living in or near London the age limit has now gone down to 11 and if they don't have one it is £2 or a long walk home (unless you are very lucky to have a kind driver or the bus is so crowded no one notices as DC sneaks past the behind the bigger kids)

And in Northern Ireland, it will be Year 8 that those leaving Primary School will be starting in September.

Check if a SmartCard system is in operation for purchases of meals/snacks in Dining Hall or from Vending Machine. Monies taken to school and loaded onto card, then topped up as and when - means no carrying cash around daily and you can keep tabs on how much being spent.

Check is lockers available for bags/books/etc. If yes, may be worth stitching a discreet length of cord and hook (like on many walking trousers) into inside blazer pocket to attach locker key to - saves losing it!