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Original poster

any of your DCs starting S1 this august?

298 replies

strangerthongs · 16/02/2019 19:52

I thought I'd start our own thread seeing as there's threads for S5/6, exams, uni etc.

V nervous about DD starting S1. High school's a whole other ball game isn't it? I remember being badly bullied and feeling overwhelmed in the first few weeks.

Does anyone know what books they tend to read in English in S1 nowadays, and what they study in History in S1 - my two favourite subjects when I was at schools so I'm curious.

In my DD's high school, they will be choosing subjects midway through S1 which seems awfy early (it was S2 when I was at school).

I wonder what the most popular subjects are...there seems to be some really cool options nowadays although I would hope DD will choose subjects that she is likely to actually use/need in her future career and not because all her friends are doing it.

Anyone else have a DC starting high school?

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TinTinBanana · 23/02/2019 15:57

It's what you are saying stranger about parents preparations that makes me feel that I am doing the wrong thing sending ds to a school where he knows no one. I am doing lots of preparation for him with the new school as he is only P6 and has already been to a transition event and visited the school another time. I still have time to change my mind and can do a placing request for the school where he knows alot of kids. But it is encouraging to hear what others have said about making friends in S1.

Lidlfix · 23/02/2019 17:31

Stranger beware of "mumagers" my DDs have fallen prey over the years. We are a fairly laid back bunch and having 3 Dsis none of them have struggled for company (more like struggling for peace) would it never occur to me to orchestrate friendships but some mums are fairly skilled in the art.

Original poster
strangerthongs · 23/02/2019 18:38

Oh I know what you mean. I remember my sis and I being at school and being asked to 'help' other kids who were lonely or bullied only to get dumped as soon as they found their feet/new friends etc.

The girl who invited her for a sleepover is one who used to be her BF and then dropped her, now she seems to want to be friends again. DD is keen to go so I've said yes but I'm going to be cautious in case she gets hurt again and make sure that DD is still mixing with her longer term friends.

I was talking with my DM about DD walking to school. It's about 2 miles walk I think (used to be shorter before they destroyed the footbridge). All her friends are planning on walking and going together.

Currently my DM comes up to do before/after school getting ready as I work full time and have to leave at half 7, home at half 6. We were wondering about DD getting herself ready, out the door, home herself as my DM is getting on in age.

DD is only just turned 11 though (Feb baby) so I think too young to be trusted to get herself to school, get herself dressed, lock the door, switch off the telly/lights etc, so I've agreed with DM that it won't be this year, but it will need to happen at some point.

How are the other upcoming S1 mummies planning the journey to school etc?

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Original poster
strangerthongs · 23/02/2019 18:39

and there is no school bus in this direction apparently

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BrokenWing · 23/02/2019 19:07

Ds got a bus at 8am (school is just under 3 miles and council runs a subsidised bus at £26/month). Dh kicks him out at 7:45 to walk to the bus stop, or leaves at 7:30 with ds ready to go and calls enroute to make sure he has left/locked the door.

Sturmundcalm · 23/02/2019 19:35

DS has started getting himself out to school some mornings and coming home by himself some afternoons. we built up gradually, and at the start some days he was leaving/coming home while one of us was still in the house but he was to lock the door, etc as though nobody was in. could you even start that she does 1 morning and 1 afternoon?

to be fair, we wouldn't normally leave him as late as 6.30 at night but would arrange for him to go to my mum's or SIL's. one of us is normally home for 5 and he still does afterschool 2 days a week as well.

we're just round the corner from the secondary school (it's a mile to his current primary) so he will be going/coming home by himself.

prettybird · 23/02/2019 19:45

I'm sorry for sounding narky - but there aren't just Mums on Mumsnet Wink. So even though I'm a mum, I'll answer that Mums and Dads come up with various solutions between them, depending on their kids' characters and how far school is.

Ds was 11.5 when he started secondary, and we were ok with him leaving the house on his own (didn't happen often) to walk to school (about 20 minute brisk walk away).

We were happy for him to arrive home on his own if we were out - but that is also to do with his character. (School finished at 3.50 twice a week and at 3, 3 times a week - although on one of those days he usually had after-school rugby that he was expected to to as he was in the School of Rugby ). We made sure he had his own key - but he didn't have to use it often.

He was most pissed off that when he was 15, dh and I went skiing (he didn't want to come, so we chose the week after the February break) and we made him stay with a friend who lived along the road rather then letting him stay at home alone Shock. The compromise was that he went "home" (given that we also get along well with our downstairs neighbours, who were aware of the arrangement) and was able to do homework and play on his Xbox (and look after the cats) until dinner time and then he went along to our friend's place and slept there. In the mornings, he would stop in at the house to feed the cats on the way to school.

My SIL's youngest will be starting secondary this year. Initially, he'll be going direct to the school in the morning himself, but will be going to his gran's after school until his mum or dad gets home from work.

Original poster
strangerthongs · 23/02/2019 19:54

I know that but my DH works longer hours than me plus the odd weekend, so we do rely on the grandparents a lot although one gran still works and the other GF is developing a disability. Out of school clubs are either expensive or not the hours we need. We will definitely build it up gradually so that she gets used to it.

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YouBumder · 23/02/2019 21:55

Going to school has always been fine as my H doesn’t start work til 10. The high school is nearer than the primary school so he walks or cycles or if he wants to go to the library before school I drop him off. He comes home himself and has a key. It’s only 2 days a week there isn’t someone home but typically it’s the 2 short days at school. He was well over 12 when he started high school though and we let him come home a couple of times in p7 instead of going to after school to get used to it.

My youngest is autistic and while I don’t have any real concerns about him coming home from school alone he’ll also still be only 11 so I might stick with after school for him during s1, or at least until he’s 12.

prettybird · 23/02/2019 22:08

I tell a lie Blush - ds was 11 and 11 months when he started secondary Blush

As far as I am aware, there were/are no secondary school after-school clubs - they're expected to be self-sufficient by that stage. But there were quite a few after school "clubs" (iyswim) which extended the school day to 4.30 ish (depending on whether it was a long or short day).

Being in Glasgow, I think there was a Breakfast Club for a reasonable price - but I don't know as he never went Wink. He used to go to the primary school one (and had 2 breakfasts Shock: one at home, one at home, one at school Hmm) but stopped going when he preferred to cycle to school on his own.

YouBumder · 23/02/2019 22:27

Our after school isn’t in the primary school it’s in a nearby church and they take kids up to s4 but I doubt anyone goes up until that age!

DerbyRacer · 24/02/2019 07:46

I am in Glasgow and I was having a conversation with my friend yesterday about after school care when our kids go to high school. The local primary after school service says they take children up to second year at high school. I think this is good because I don't think either of our kids will be ready to go home alone when they are S1.

Groovee · 24/02/2019 10:33

Our School now runs a breakfast club due to PEF. Dd was fuming as she would have gone in earlier if she was going to be fed! 🙈

Dd left 5 minutes after me when she started at high school so she had a key. When Ds went I changed my hours (nursery hours changed to 600 hours) so had to leave earlier but got home 10 minutes after them. Dd was deferred so 12 when she went and Ds was 11.

Original poster
strangerthongs · 24/02/2019 10:58

I've double checked and there is no high school after school clubs.

DM lives across the road from the school which is handy but the issue is that DD is wanting to walk to and from school with her friends and we live about 2 miles away, no bus through this area, DH leaves for work at 7 (if not earlier) and I leave at 7.30.

We need to find a way to work it before August. DM might continue to come up just until DD gets into a routine and matures a bit. If left to her own devices, I can pretty much guarantee that DD would leave with the door unlocked, all the lights still on, the tv on, place a total bombsite and DD looking like she's been dragged through a hedge backwards!

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prettybird · 24/02/2019 13:28

That's what I meant about knowing your own dc. We knew we could trust ds not to be too untidy, at least in the communal rooms Grin his own room, on the other hand Hmm and to be sensible. Smile

You could maybe work out a compromise which involves her staying with your mum some days, walking home with her friends to their house other days (parents permitting) and after school (activity) clubs (not the same as after school care) on other days. Maybe occasionally allow her the odd day "home alone" to see how she does.

Original poster
strangerthongs · 24/02/2019 19:36

Don't know where the hell I'm going to get Maroon school clothing. Especially in her size (she takes ages 14-15, women's size 8/10).

Anyone else have a bloody maroon school uniform and can give recommendations of where to get them in her size? Bloody asda etc only go up to 12/13 and don't fit her anymore.

She doesn't want a jumper, so it needs to be a "grown up" cardigan or a tank top to keep her warm. Black jumpers/cardigans not allowed.

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dementedpixie · 24/02/2019 21:12

Would burgundy do as they are available?

Original poster
strangerthongs · 24/02/2019 21:29

No, just blazers it seems on their website.

The school uniform company website seems to have some nice tank tops although out of stock in medium upwards. Not sure what size she's likely to be and the sizing chart is confusing. Still time though.

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Original poster
strangerthongs · 24/02/2019 21:30

burgundy would do, although they don't seem to have her size anywhere, or stock higher than a 12-13 which is too small on her now. She's a tall girl who takes after her dad!

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dementedpixie · 24/02/2019 21:30

Next and very have burgundy cardigans

dementedpixie · 24/02/2019 21:37

EBay has maroon tank tops

any of your DCs starting S1 this august?
Original poster
strangerthongs · 24/02/2019 21:46

Thank you ladies!

I like to get my preparations in early lol

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wigglybeezer · 24/02/2019 21:52

At least maroon is reasonably restrained, my poor boys had a bright purple blazer, looked very garish with their red hair!

YouBumder · 24/02/2019 21:54

Our uniform is just black and white (plus tie), thank goodness! When I was at high school the shirt was a hideous peachy colour, officially “cream”, it was a nightmare for my poor mum to get hold of!

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