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Secondary education

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

Original poster

Yr7 new starters

363 replies

simpson · 01/09/2016 00:11

Hi...

Just wondering if other parents/kids are worrying about starting secondary school. We have had tears (from DS) tonight and we still have another week to go!!

I am sure he will be fine but I am worrying (as is he).

OP posts:
VandaDarkFlame · 01/09/2016 00:22

My ds2 starts next Tuesday. I think he has mixed feelings about it, he's excited to go, but also worried about making friends and being bullied, which we had problems with at primary. As my ds1 is already at this school, I know who I can contact if we do have problems

Dickorydockwhatthe · 01/09/2016 04:26

Yep hence why I'm guessing I'm still awake and a cannot sleep!!! Ds was bullied in his last year of primary big falling out with popular kid plus he has SEN. I am so hoping he will fit in better at secondary and things will be different.

MyFriendsCallMeOh · 01/09/2016 04:30

Mine started today and had a fantastic start. She was nervous and excited but loved it, she's got a good class and lovely teacher. Only downside is she's on the third floor and they did a scavenger hunt today (brand new school building) so she went up a down "a million steps."

MyFriendsCallMeOh · 01/09/2016 04:31

Meant to say good luck to everyone starting. It's a big milestone but the fear of the unknown if often worse than reality.

PonderingProsecco · 01/09/2016 09:01

My ds just started. Think I am wobbling more than him though!

Original poster
simpson · 01/09/2016 11:55

Just labelled all his uniform (he helped) and he seems a bit brighter today Smile

OP posts:
Dickorydockwhatthe · 01/09/2016 21:56

Just labelled things now starting to feel mixed emotions, scared, excited, nervous.

Titsywoo · 01/09/2016 23:32

Yes DD starts next Weds and I think I am almost as nervous as she is (although not showing it to her!). I'm mostly nervous about her walking to and from school - I'm just being silly I guess. Her induction day went well and hopefully she will make friends ok.

LoadingDishwasher · 02/09/2016 06:57

Mine eldest is starting this morning.....I hope the day goes well, he's not really looking forward to it.

joandyr72 · 02/09/2016 07:32

The school my son is going to has a summer school for the new year 7s for 2 weeks every summer holidays.
It is the only school on town that does it and has been a blessing.
They have taken part in a wide variety of lessons, sports and team building activities all free. This has helped them meet their new classmates and find their way around the school with no older kids there.
Fab idea and he is so confident about going now.
On Tuesday they also start school an hour before all the others and have lunch early for the first week.
Good luck to all the new starters.

dwinnol · 02/09/2016 09:00

DS starts today. He woke at 6am all excited, DD (yr 10) is rolling her eyes at the enthusiasm.
He's lucky that he will know a lot of kids there because he plays a lot of sport and goes to clubs with kids from lots of other primary schools.

Did your school do a good transition? Ours had a sports day, music day, science day and an after school club so they feel fairly comfortable already.

I had a lump in my throat as he walked off with his mates this morning but I'm sure he'll be fine.

OP does your DS know many going to the school?

Original poster
simpson · 02/09/2016 10:13

DS knows a few...there are a handful from his primary school (one he will travel with) and a couple from his football club.

He said to me last night that the waiting to start is worse than actually starting. His first day is Wednesday.

OP posts:
ono40 · 02/09/2016 12:25

DS2 starts on Tuesday. DS1 is in Y13 at the same school and has loved it so no worries about anything specific. I think he is a little nervous as he is the only one from his primary who is going there.

To be honest I am done with the whole English education system and the way the goalposts change. I can't believe we have to go through it all over again but I will put on my best smiley face and stock up on sticky backed plastic for next week's book backing marathon!

normastits5 · 04/09/2016 14:10

My DS started at yr 7 Friday and it went fine. He was nervous but trying not to show it, as was I. He has been split from his friends and will only know 1 boy from primary so understandably he's a bit anxious! But he was immediately approached in the playground by a boy he met during induction & off they marched in the gates together hardly looking back. To say I was relieved is an understatement. He came home full of stories re rules & regs but definitely was upbeat & even admitted to looking forward to Monday! So don't worry , we all went through this and came through it as will they. It's all part of life's journey isn't it?

PonderingProsecco · 04/09/2016 19:48

Having to write in pen an issue.
Anyone suggest a non smudging pen. Left hander here.
We are experimenting with pens at the moment.
Also likes a good comfy grip. It can be the little things that trip you up!
He wrote in pencil at primary.
Apart from that, seems happy. Rules and regulations do seem stricter than primary but he will have to learn to adjust with everyone else....

Bakeandyarn · 04/09/2016 20:14

My lovely DS is just going into year 12, he was the most nervous, upset and unhappy year 7 starter ever. He would happily have stayed at primary school forever and was very anxious about going to a new school (which we had appealed for) without his friends. I just want you to know, they will all be fine - yes, it did take DS a good few weeks to settle but the school knew exactly what they were doing. He was lucky (and so were we!) that he had an fantastic form tutor who spent a lot of time reassuring him that he would be alright). I look back now and I am so proud of him, he did exceptionally well in his GCSE's and is a kind, bright and confident young man, so different from that anxious little boy. We got through the early days with lots of tlc and reassurance. We even agreed that if he really hated it by half term we would look at other schools. In fact, by then, he was fine and as we went to pick up his results a fortnight ago he told me he couldn't imagine ever being at another school and "thanks, Mum". Good luck to you all, it's hard being a Mum sometimes, but they will be fine and you will look back and wonder what you (and they) were worried about!

lu9months · 04/09/2016 21:51

my son has quite a lot of anxiety issues and its worth speaking to the school in advance so they can watch out and support your ds. my sons school seem very caring and they were pleased i let them know . having said that, he seems ok at the mo, starts fri. good luck

OldBeanbagz · 05/09/2016 08:47

DS starting on Wednesday and doesn't seem worried at all. I guess it helps having an older sibling at the school.

Of course we've left it until today to buy school shoes/gum shield/pencil case/football boots.

Dickorydockwhatthe · 05/09/2016 14:20

Ds was sick last night so had to keep him off really gutted for him as it's the first day of proper lessons. He is behind academically any way so this is not a great start :-(

AChickenCalledKorma · 05/09/2016 17:01

Day 2 today, and the first day when all the other (enormous) students have been present. It's been a roller coaster. Texts from DD2 at break time and lunch time asking how long till she could go home, saying all her (old school) friends are being mean - which is entirely believable sadly - and that she is scared. Moving ahead to 3:30, she arrives home all smiles, with the same friends, and brandishing the prize she won for her summer holiday project. So it's definitely been a game of two halves and I am an emotional wreck!

QueenofLouisiana · 05/09/2016 18:46

DS started today- 2 lots of homework was a shock...

Everything seemed to go well thankfully.

Geraniumred · 05/09/2016 19:20

Dd enjoyed her first day today after a miserable induction day at the end of last term. She seems to be friendly with lots of new people already and looking forward to doing d and t tomorrow too. Phew.

Threeschools · 05/09/2016 21:33

DD1 started y7 today, she is in tears now after putting a brave face all day and feeling very proud of herself having taken the bus home on her own. I feel terrible because I decided to send her off to a different school than her friends from primary. I still think she will get more out of this school and it is entirely normal to feel this way to begin with but it is hard to see, poor DD.

FiveMoreMinutesPlease · 05/09/2016 22:23

Day 2 for my DD. She loves the school but is very nervous and shy of approaching girls to make friends. She doesn't like the walk back though and is scared of the main road ( understandable after being knocked down by a passing van in year 6). She has to do it though Confused to get get confidence back. I've told her she is very brave.

AChickenCalledKorma · 05/09/2016 22:32

It's so reassuring to hear about other children who are having wobbles. Totally normal but hard to hear when it's your own child.

FiveMoreMinutes - we are having issues with a group of friends who originally said they'd walk with DD, but are now determined to meet up at a place that means crossing the main road in a really dodgy place, instead of using the pelican crossing. DD2 is now feeling very conflicted because she actually wants to take the safer option but is very sad about walking alone. I'm proud that she was sensible this morning and walked the safe way, but I do feel for her inside.