Starting secondary and recent death of a grandparent

[FrayedHem]

DS2 will be starting secondary 4th September. My mum died this week - she lived 300 miles away so the DC didn't see her a lot although she did send them parcels of goodies and chat to them on the phone etc. DS2 is a sensitive soul and has been a bit upset. Think he's a little anxious about starting secondary in general.

Logistics are such that the DC aren't coming up for the funeral and DH and I will be away sorting my mum's stuff and having the funeral Thurs-Mon before he starts. (in-laws looking after the DC).

Should I email the school to make them aware? DS1 is in an ASD base so I'll be emailing his ASD base teacher but we have regular email contact anyway.

Yes, I definitely would. That sort of information is important for them to know when there will be lots else going on too. They won’t need to do anything necessarily just look out.

I’m so sorry for your loss.

Regardless of the ASD base I'd let them know - it will help them to help him

Thanks, I'll send them an email next week. I think he should be o.k. as they do CATs for the first week and he loves them, just a bit worried about him from the social side and he would be unlikely to tell a teacher if he's upset etc.

Should have said DS1's ASD base is at a different school, but I have a higher amount of contact because he's in the base and just wasn't sure if this would be something to inform DS2's secondary about.

Definitely inform the school. Form tutor if possible. Head of year if not. They will ensure your children are just looked out for a little bit more.

Thanks. I only have the general contact details. Think I'll email next week and ring on his first day too unless I get a reply.

Really sorry to hear about your loss. My mum died earlier this year, when DD1 was up to her eyes in GCSE mocks. I know how hard it can be being so far away and wanting to be there for your child as well.

As others have said, I'd definitely inform the new school. They should be very focussed on the pastoral needs of new students right now and if they know about his loss, they will have the chance to keep an eye on him.

Thank you. Sorry about your mum too. I do feel especially bad for DS2 but I know my in-laws will do a grand job of looking after him (and the other 3!).

The first day is Yr7's and Yr12's only which should help a bit and hopefully mean my message gets through to the relevant person o.k.

Send it ASAP. Most schools have one or 2 INSET days before the kids come in, but admin staff will be there to pass on the message. As a form tutor, I would rather know in advance of the first day if at all possible. Sorry for your loss x

Yes definitely let them know, we often get emails just warning us a certain child maybe get upset for various reasons. It's also useful for if we may be teaching sensitive topics.

Thanks. I've found an email for the admissions officer, I'm wondering if it is better to email her rather than the Info@ generic email.