Can anyone offer any good 'transition to Secondary school' advice or resources?

[Cornflakemum]

DS1 is going to secondary in September.

Although he is old in his year (November birthday) he is pretty much in his 'own world' most of the time, and not at all street-wise/ savvy, or whatever else you'd call it.

I'm not sure the school really does anything to prepare them for the transition to 'big' school, and I just wondered whether anyone had any experience/ resources which might help.

The sorts of things I'm thinking about are:

• road safety - walking to school
• staying safe/ looking after possessions/ money
• avoiding potentially dangerous situations (e.g. on own in secluded place)
• personal organisation - books/ homework etc
• arranging social life!

I don't know... anything really... It hink he is going to be lost in September!

My DD is in year 7, I had some of these concerns. She has settled in absolutely fine.

going through your points:
road safety - DD has a long bus journey, and a very busy road to cross at the other end. DH took her on a trial run, made sure she knew where the crossings were etc. We also encouraged her to go to the local shop with friends etc - just getting more used to being out and about without us.

possessions - secure pocket somewhere in the uniform, zipped compartment in schoolbag seems to do it. Having a bit of a system for ensuring that vitals like locker key, lunch card, bus pass, phone are all in the right place helps.

organisation - TBH I still help her pack her bag in the morning, and to start with would check homework diary. (the homework diary is the crucial piece of kit!) Now just a query of whether she's got much to do that evening seems to suffice.

social life - a bit harder. They really have to try to sort it out for themselves, you're just there for logistical backup with transport etc.
the 'dangerous situations' doesn't arise much in practice.

You could also talk to the school, and flag up your concerns. A lot run extra-induction sessions for those for whom the transition will be harder.

With my DS I let him get on with it at first, and then helped him organise his bag etc. when he asked for help.

How street wise your child needs to be depends on the school.

My dd is in Year 6 and the whole year group have just been on a Lifeskills course which was brilliant -covered many safety aspects through role and play, what to do to keep themselves safe and how to react in an emergency.
I think there are other "preparing for secondary school" type events run by the LEA in the Summer term.

Have dc's in years 10 and 7, not street wise at all when first started. Lots of kids will be in same boat so dont worry.

Getting to school - gradually 'let go' from now onward - give them short errands etc and then gradually extend difficulty. Then in summer go through school route and do a few 'dry runs'

posessions - my eldest was good at this, my youngest has lost countless stuff as is dippy. Make sure they use lockers, have only a cheap mobile and prepare to replace lots of PE kit

organisation - you'll end up overseeing a lot of this especially homework.

dangerous situations - shouldnt happen, this is where school pastoral care comes in

social life - dont expect one; its actually v limited at secondary I think, and it's up to dc's to sort it out via text etc. Make sure he's still in contact with primary friends and still has some 'roots'

Primaries tend not to prepare much for secondary - but the secondaries should run induction days in June/July and will be well prepared for all eventualities and worries.

It will be fine

You need to make sure you free up plenty of time in the first few weeks to talk through his day with him, help him establish routines for sorting out dinner/bus money, his bag, books, PE kit, etc., and routines for recording and completing homework. As well as just to talk through his day, pick up the crucial bits of info, and sort out any teething problems early.

With both my boys I was astonished how much time I needed to devote to them in the first few weeks.

But this time pays off in the longrun. ds2 is only in yr7, but it feels as though he's been at secondary for ever he is so settled!

Hello. Sorry to butt in but there's lots of brilliant MNers' advice about exactly this here

THe school should have a full induction programme - find out about it and see what else you need.