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Secondary education

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

Yr8 DD overwhelmed at school

6 replies

CourgettiSpaghetti · 06/09/2018 20:19

My daughter has just started back into Yr8 and is totally overwhelmed. It's a 9 form entry school and they've given the children new timetables.
My daughter is now following a timetable that is completely different from her friends from the previous year and with completely different children. I realise this is a period of change for all of the children in the year but her friends seem to have taken all of this change in their stride. They do however seem to share the same timetable and lessons whereas she's with classes of children that she doesn't know.
DD is socially awkward and feels overwhelmed in new situations. She struggles with the finer intricasies of friendships bit is a very loyal friend. She is the kindest, most gentle girl and incredibly sensitive.
I'm not really sure what to do as she's so unhappy, hasn't really eaten, very teary and is struggling to sleep. She looks utterly drained. She seems to need familiarity and finds change really difficult.
She struggled last year and was highly emotional and only really settled in the summer term and I felt that we'd really turned a corner. Now, I feel we're back to square one.

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Sugarhunnyicedtea · 06/09/2018 20:23

Do you have a head of year or pastoral department you could speak to? They may be able to make the transition easier in some way. I've always found the pastoral staff really helpful

CourgettiSpaghetti · 06/09/2018 20:26

Thanks Sugarhunnyicedtea, I think I'll see how she gets on tomorrow and then contact them.

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PrincessHairyMclary · 06/09/2018 20:31

Timetables often have gremlins on the first couple of days, she may have been separated from her friends by mistake. Our pastoral team would sort this out asap for you and try to at least pair her with a friend. If they don't already know how she struggles without social situations please let them know they may have a resilience programme she can join which can be really helpful at boosting confidence.

RedSkyLastNight · 06/09/2018 20:32

I'd also remind her that she can still (and indeed should) arrange to meet up with her old friends before school, after school and at break times. She doesn't need to rush into making new friends ... she can focus on learning in classes and get to know people gradually.

TeenTimesTwo · 06/09/2018 20:42

My DD2 (y9) finds the start of the new academic year tough too.
She doesn't tend to be in sets with her friends, and finds locating the new classrooms and getting to know new teachers stressful. Get her to meet up with friends in breaks.

Definitely contact tutor / pastoral and they can keep an extra eye.

CourgettiSpaghetti · 06/09/2018 23:48

Thanks for your tips everyone. I'm going to encourage her to keep meeting up with her friends during breaks and also call the pastoral team on Monday if things are still haven't improved. I'll also find out if they offer a resilience programme as I know she's really benefit from this too. Thanks again Smile

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