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Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

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Original poster

So halfway through Year 7, how is it going?

18 replies

CameronCook · 21/02/2011 22:35

This time last year we were all frantically posting fretting about our little darlings heading off to secondary school.

So half way down, how has it gone for you?

OP posts:

RatherBeOnThePiste · 21/02/2011 22:55

Well. I think we may survive this you know!

Things that have proved a challenge include being organised and not forgetting stuff. He has not lost as much stuff as some of his mates fortunately. Homework initially was a bit overwhelming but has calmed down.

But he has found a whole new bunch of mates, is relishing his new found independence going on the train. He has mastered the whole tie and blazer combo and discovered that actually he does like football.

Well
We will see how the rest of it pans out!

HSMM · 22/02/2011 08:29

1 detention, some forgotten homework and trainers, 1 missed bus, but other than that remarkably well.

DD is getting on well with lots of new friends and organising her own homework and equipment.

She loves most of her teachers, but unfortunately not her IT teacher, who seems to have put her off IT for life!

I feel a bit out of touch, compared to Primary School, but I'm sure I'll get used to it :)

roisin · 22/02/2011 08:30

ds2 is loving it: it seems like he's been there for ever!

He's joined lots of clubs and activities, so is very busy most of the time; especially doing a lot of music.

We just got his assessment profile (mini report - just grades), and he's doing extremely well too: high targets that he's keeping up with and excellent effort grades.

RatherBeOnThePiste · 22/02/2011 12:16

Roisin - yes I feel like DS has been there forever too! He feels very comfortable there and settled, he has gone off today to meet with a mate in town.

Original poster

CameronCook · 22/02/2011 18:17

How fabulous that they're all settling so well in spite of last years hand wringing.

In spite of having mild SN DS has settled in well - only had 5 calls to bring in forgotten kit which for him is quite good ; although have been called in for several injuries - setting fire to his self in science; trip to Drs when he got flour in his eye in food tech; 2 x sprains in rugby; knocked self out in the weight training room on a bench press and [wtf?]

OP posts:

roisin · 22/02/2011 19:00

That's a lot of injuries Cameroncook! Is he normally accident-prone?

ds2 still sometimes seems to be a very young little boy. He is shattered in the evenings and goes to bed very early (and gets up very early).

We've planned a very relaxed and chilled half term, so that he just has time to unwind and rest.

Original poster

CameronCook · 22/02/2011 21:52

Sadly yes roisin he has ASD so very clumsy - its just the stuff around him at secondary school is so much more dangerous

Yes I've noticed that he's much more tired - even though the school day plus journey isn't much longer than primary, I think they're just working them so hard

OP posts:

MarinaResurgens · 22/02/2011 23:15

Ds is very happy and settled at his new school. He travels by train and there have been a few transport hiccups and problems during the snow.
His school has a very active parents' association so we've been lucky and feel part of a new school community, which I was pleasantly surprised about. Grades all good, entertaining classmates, some great teachers - happy days really.

GrimmaTheNome · 22/02/2011 23:50

Gosh, can't believe the school year is half over.

DD loving it - made lots of new friends, both in class and on the bus (which turns out to be enormous fun).

No disasters - PE kit left on bus once, pleasantly suprised how helpful Stagecoach guys were.

She seems to be over the tiredness of the first few weeks and taking homework in her stride.

roisin · 23/02/2011 07:57

I think for ds2 the tiredness is mainly about the length of the school day, plus fitting in homework.
At primary he would be out of the house c.8.30am - 3.40 pm.

Now it's 7.45am - 4.20 pm (or 5-6pm on the days he has clubs), which is a big chunk off his day.

QOD · 23/02/2011 08:12

DD loves it, much more confident with walking in and out of school grounds, it's pretty intimidating! She gets the bus home when she HAS to - I mostly pick her up
LOTS of homework, but lots of friends!
Green on all her targets and just sooooooooooo much happier!

Original poster

CameronCook · 23/02/2011 11:25

I think we need to link the Year 6 parents to this thread for reassurance once they have got over the stress of 1st March

OP posts:

hatwoman · 23/02/2011 11:30

Cameron - there's one of us already here ! I'm not a natural fretter but we've had tottering times with dd recently - it feels a bit like secondary school could make or break her. even reading all these positive experiences I'm thinking "but I bet these were all normal, happy, confident kids"

thunderbird69 · 23/02/2011 11:33

I wasn't on here last year, but can't believe it is nearly a year since the schools allocation.

My DS is getting on well, he moans a lot about it all but he moans about everything! He's one of the youngest and smallest and didn't know anyone at the school before he started so I'm amazed at how he has coped really.

His report was good, although personally I'm getting a bit fed up with the constant updates of his 'working at levels'. They all seem a bit meaningless at the moment, anywhere between level 3 and 6!

Original poster

CameronCook · 23/02/2011 11:35

Hatwoman - have you read my posts about DS up there ^? He's far from normal or confident (autistic so poor social skills and very anxious), although he is very happy now.

OP posts:

Original poster

CameronCook · 23/02/2011 11:37

Oh and from what I have seen there is really good communication between primary and secondary to help manage transition.

They put in lots of pastoral care and support pathways for the new Y7s.

Try not to fret too much - we'll hold your hand through it

OP posts:

hatwoman · 23/02/2011 15:38

sorry cameron! I think we are quite lucky re primary-secondary communication - I live in a rural area and because all the primary schools are so small the seconadary school (that everyone goes to)organises lots of inter-primary events - cross country, tag rugby, dance festival - in the main it's the sixth formers that organise them. So dd (and dd2) have been to the secondary school loads - and although she'll be going up knowing only a very small number of kids in her class (10) everyone will be in the same boat (the intake is all from small primaries) and she'll at least have played tag rugby againt some others.

Deaddei · 23/02/2011 19:21

Ds is having a great year- at the top of the express stream, is being challenged and excelling in everything.He does lots of clubs- they finish at 3 and is still home by 4 .30 after a club.
Lots of new friends, and I'm on the PTA which is giving me more insight into the school.

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