9 year old's anxiety about new school

[DeadTall]

Does anyone have any advice on how I can reassure my DS of 9 who is about to move up to his middle school (we are 3-tier)?

He is up at night with headaches and stomach cramps, sometimes says he's incredibly nervous and other times says he's really looking forward to it. School starts on Thursday and I'm afraid he will be going to school feeling awful (and tired), which is the last thing I want. I've tried reassuring him that there are 150 other children in the same position as him, plus various other platitudes, but nothing seems to be working.

Hmm difficult one. Is he just nervous about the whole thing generally, or is there a specific aspect of moving up that causes him anxiety, like new class teacher, bigger children, idea of more challenging work, new class mates etc?

Will he have friends in his new middle-school class? Has he ever reacted like this in the past?

I guess since thursday is tomorrow, the best you can do is get in early and discuss your concerns with his class teacher, ask her to keep an eye on him. See how it goes after the first day. Hopefully it will be fine.