How do I get ds to remember stuff at school?!

[ShoeWhore]

Ds1 just started in year 6 at middle school - the setup is basically like secondary and he's been thrown in at the deep end a bit tbh (everyone else has been there a year already). Previously at a very small rural primary so it's been quite a culture shock for him.

There's a load of smallish stuff he keeps forgetting. But the main thing is he has to get himself to his music lesson each week and he's forgotten (twice) After he forgot last week I wrote MUSIC LESSON AT X PM!!! on a post it and attached it to the front of his planner. But he still forgot. I think the problem is it's halfway through a Maths lesson so he got engrossed in that.

He's gutted (he loves music) and quite stressed that he's in trouble.

Any ideas oh wise experienced secondary parents? What's the solution?

Does he have a mobile? Set an alarm to vibrate before the lesson?
Watch?
Email teacher and ask for reminder?
Postit on front of the book he will be using that lesson?
Note on hand?

I think as he's still only Year 6 it's reasonable to write a note to a teacher asking if he/she could remind your DS at the start of maths. Other than that - maturity really. Give it more time - he'll get there.

Not allowed mobiles in view in school and he already asked his teacher to remind him (he says) - she forgot too!

I put the post it on the planner as he has to take that into every lesson, he doesn't bring any books home so can't do that. Maybe I should write it on his forehead next week?

I wondered about a watch with an alarm? Would that work?

Sorry I meant to say thanks for the ideas x

A phone on silent in a pocket won't disturb anyone. A watch going off would.
Can you get one with a silent alarm?
Note on pencil case?

This may be a stupid idea, but what if the teacher wrote on a corner of the board "X to leave at 11:15" then the whole class could help remember.

I find that writing things on their hand works quite well.

digital watch ?

From Y7, I gave DS1 and DS2 one 'free pass' each academic year if they forgot to go to a music lesson. After that, if they forgot to go, we charged them half the cost of the lesson (£8 each time they forgot). In Y7, their allowance was only £11 a month, so this had the effect of focusing their minds enough to remember to go.

Failing that, write the time of the lesson in permanent marker on the back of his hand.

I wrote note to office in orange felt pen on my DD2(16)'s hand last night.

They all forget sometimes.

Penciling it on his timetable might help.

Writing choir on DDs did a bit. She still forgot, sometimes.

Maybe I should write it on his forehead next week?

I used to know someone who would put a dot on her forehead so people would ask why she had a dot and she would remember whatever it is.