Induction Days

[Sparklymommy]

Dd1 has got a selective place in a secondary that is out of our catchment area. Unfortunately the two induction days in July are the same week as her Yr 6 residential trip.

I have phoned the secondary and they are happy to invite her on another day, but I am concerned that she will miss out by not going on the same day as her new year group.

She is the only child from our area that will be going there, and she is somewhat nervous and unsettled by the prospect of going somewhere "unknown". She is a friendly child and I am sure she will manage and be fine.

What are everyone's views? Should she miss the residential? Wwyd?

She'll be fine
More upset to miss the trip I think

Yes, that's my general feelin too! Thank you

I think I would prioritise the Y6 trip too, BUT I would check with DD that she was happy with that. She may prefer to go on the induction day.

Would it be possible for her to go on the trip, and you collect her on the day of the induction day, and take her back to camp in the evening?

I'd let her choose. My DS went to an induction day for a school where he knew no one and it was reassuring for him. But he had a few friends that ended up attending induction days for the wrong school as they got last minute offers for their first choice school. They were fine in the end.

She doesn't want to miss the residential. The trouble is she's very nervous about starting secondary and I think the induction day would have settled some of her fears.

Can't be helped I suppose!

Ask if school may be running a summer camp thing for children in her position that are only ones or two from primary or sen to get to know each other , the teachers and there way around before things start properly in September .

Yes would recommend asking if there is some kind of summer activity for new yr 7s.

DD was the only one from her primary going to her secondary. The school ran a 3 day summer course at which she quickly made friends with 2 girls from the main feeder primary who them introduced her to their circle of friends. Definitely helped her having someone to hang out with when they started in September.

Now in yr 9 and very happy with a lovely group of friends.

I hadn't thought of that. Thank you, I will definitely ask. I know our local catchment area school does something like this in the summer so its definitely something worth looking into.

I am sure she will be fine once she's there, its just she does seen especially sensitive about it at the moment. It doesn't help that she is the only one going somewhere different. There are children at her new secondary that she does know, but they are a lot older.