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Secondary education

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

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Original poster

How are all the children about to start secondary school feeling? Nerves? Excited? And how are all you Mums?!

65 replies

MummyPenguin · 20/08/2007 09:08

My DD is starting grammar school in September. I can't believe how quickly it's coming around!! The holidays have gone so fast! She's a bit nervous, which is understandable. I'm more so though! Just the thought of her going on the school bus and not coming to school with me and DS's and me not picking her up with them. Gulp. Will seem so strange at first.

All uniform and shoes etc purchased? Are you all ready for the big move?

OP posts:

christywhisty · 20/08/2007 11:12

Ds can't wait, he is going to a foundation school which is a science/ technical specialist.He got in on a aptitude for technology. I think he thinks he can blow up the chemistry lab on a daily basis . He will be going by train with 2 friends. Only 8 minutes on the train but still a bit worrying, but they have had some practice runs and managed okay.

My worries is that he can cope with the timetable, he has no sense of time and often doesn't know what the day of the week it is, we had thought of taking lots of photo copies and he can cross off the lesson as he does them, not sure if that is taking things a bit too far.

I have all the uniform but still have to sew the badge onto the blazer.He is tall for his age and I have bought him a 13 but it doesn't seem to have much growing room in it.

I just hope the school lives up to our expectations. It is one of the most improved schools in the country and has such a lovely feel about and I have only heard good things from parents so hopefully it will be right for DS.

Original poster

MummyPenguin · 20/08/2007 12:21

Good luck to you DS and you!

OP posts:

christywhisty · 20/08/2007 12:35

And the same to you Mummypenguin

snorkle · 20/08/2007 18:22

dd is looking forward to it . Not too daunting for her as most of her friends going too and ds is already there. The required level of organisation will be a challenge, but I don't think she's realized that yet. Here's to hoping they all settle in quickly.

MaureenMLove · 20/08/2007 18:26

The only thing I've got left to buy is the dreaded shoes! DD can't wait. There's 17 of them going from primary and since we live the nearest, I have a feeling there'll be 16 smiling faces at my front door on day one! I feel sorry for my neighbour actually, who is already in Yr 10 and has promised to look after dd. She's got 17 yr 7's to ruin her street cred to walk with now!
Our school specialises in Maths, Science & sport. Maths is good for dd and sport is perfect, since shes on some G&T programme. Can't help thinking the government made this one up in preparation for the olympics, but hey oh!

Original poster

MummyPenguin · 20/08/2007 21:00

My DD is a little bit as most of her friends, including her best friend are going to a different school, there's only a few going to the grammar school with her. I think the nerves are beginning to kick in now. I've told her she'll be fine.

OP posts:

suedonim · 20/08/2007 21:50

My dd is going to secondary school a year early than expected but I'm the one who's feeling a bit wobbly about it; she's as cool as a cucumber, lol!

I only have some of her uniform as the school (it's an international school in Nigeria) didn't have it all in stock when we came back to the UK in July. But I have the dreaded name tapes, ready to sew on.

Dd's the last of my four dc so I am a bit at my baby growing up but I'm concentrating on enjoying the last few weeks of the holidays.

Original poster

MummyPenguin · 21/08/2007 18:33

Why is your DD going to secondary a year early? Is that the age they start in Nigeria?

Good luck!

OP posts:

suedonim · 21/08/2007 21:30

Yes, that's it. In Scotland they move up when they're 12. We're currently only due to stay in Nigeria until Xmas so I'm not sure where dd will fit into the Scottish system if we come back then. But no point in fretting, I'll tackle that issue if/when it arises.

Ds1 started school in 1980 so my stint at the school gate has lasted 27yrs, lol! I won't be sorry never to attend another sports day, I must say.

mimsum · 21/08/2007 23:08

ds1's sort of starting secondary school, although he's only 10 - the school takes half its intake for Y6 and the rest of them in Y7. He's been sooo excited for months and months, but suddenly he's started to get nervous in the past few days. He's a competitive swimmer as well and has been promoted to his club's top squad and last night he was in floods of tears wondering how he was going to fit in homework, training, new school, old friends etc - he's even wet the bed a couple of times which he's not done for years and years. I really felt for him, but it's a move which he's been desperate to make - I'm just hoping he feels better once he starts and gets settled in ...

snorkle · 21/08/2007 23:28

How much swim training per week does he do mimsum? My two both swim & I know it can get a bit out of hand, especially if they are good.

mimsum · 22/08/2007 12:30

Hi Snorkle - We (he) only realised how good he was a few months ago when he changed clubs - he's scarily good now for his age and it's suddenly got a lot more serious - he's swimming 5 times a week with his club - and he won't get any more club sessions for a while as the little ones aren't allowed to do early mornings (phew) - but he'll be swimming for his school squad as well. He really enjoys it, but I don't want him to end up exhausting himself - or to decide it's all too much in a couple of years and pack it in... ho hum

snorkle · 22/08/2007 14:25

It's quite common for kids (especially boys) to devote hours a week to swimming and then decide at around 13 or 14 that they've had enough and pack it in, so don't be too surprised if that does happen. It's a sport where to be really good they have to make a big time commitment at an age when they don't really have enough experience of life to know if it's what they really want to do. If you take it really seriously, then eventually school work does suffer, so you need to be sure that that's worth it (few people actually make a career out of swimming).
My two (12 & 13) usually do 3-4 sessions (out of a max of 6) a week and manage homework and other stuff too. However, they don't aspire to be top swimmers (they know they'd need to do more if so). They can still do very well at school, local league and lower level open galas and set themselves targets of qualifying for regional championships rather than winning the nationals! I'm hoping they grow up to continue enjoying the sport - our club is very good at getting the children involved as helpers and teachers from age 14, most of them go on to do lifeguarding as part-time jobs in sixth form. If they give up though, it wouldn't worry me (so long as they don't become complete couch potatoes).
When is your ds's birthday? It makes a real difference when they're young as to how well they achieve in their age groups. Late August is best.

snorkle · 22/08/2007 14:32

Forgot to add: best of luck to your son. He sounds a bit stressed by the thought of it all at the moment, but I reckon what he's trying to do is probably do-able once he's settled into the new routine. Do keep an eye on it all though - young swimmers have riduculous demands heaped on them, so you will need to think through priorities and realistic expectations eventually.

Lucycat · 22/08/2007 14:38

I'm a mum about to start teaching again in a secondary school - am i allowed to be nervous and excited?

spent this week planning A level lessons - trying to get my creaking brain back into gear!

snorkle · 22/08/2007 14:45

Lucycat - I'd be nervous too . I'm sure you'll be fine & enjoy it. What is your subject?

Lucycat · 22/08/2007 15:06

Geography - it's only part time but it's a good school (well as good as any)much nicer than my last one, I know my head of Department fairly well and dd2 is starting school so I need to do something with my time.

But it's still a bit nerve wracking

snorkle · 22/08/2007 15:13

Sounds as if it will be good - you're doing the right thing getting ahead with the planning. Good luck!

mimsum · 22/08/2007 15:47

Thanks Snorkle - the only reason I'd be bothered if he packed it in in a few years' time is that it's been such a positive experience for him - done heaps for his self-esteem - and it seems to work wonders for his Tourette's Syndrome (he's hardly ticcing at all at the moment) as the feel of the water/repetitive movements etc really help him calm down, not to mention giving him an outlet for all his excess energy. He's got a lousy birthday as far as winning things goes (late Jan) but very good for the end of year rankings! But he's been very philosophical about it - all the boys who beat him in the regionals were just about to turn 11 so he knows he's doing very well for his age. I just want him to carry on enjoying it for as long as he wants to - and hate the thought of him getting stressed out about something that up until now has been pure fun ... He's much happier today - he's been practising tying his new school tie, bless ...

snorkle · 22/08/2007 16:20

Glad he enjoys it - he does sound good. It is an excellent sport for all round aerobic fitness and swimmers tend to develop lovely physiques . The birthday thing is a nuisence, but as they grow the disadvantage reduces and other things like age of puberty have a big effect too. December/Jan opens should boost his confidence.

christywhisty · 24/08/2007 12:13

I know this is a bit OT, but I was in floods (very unlike me) yesterday watching the news about the boy who was shot. His parents were talking about his uniform in the wardrobe etc for him to start secondary school. Reminded me of DS so much, it's so awful that something like this could happen.

MaryAnnSingleton · 24/08/2007 12:23

yes, christy - agree with you there - it is so sad - his parents were very dignified and touching in what they were saying - and brave. It made me think of ds even though he doesn't go to secondary until next September.
I was thinking of all you mums facing it this term and hope all goes well for you xxxxx

Imchangingmynametodad · 25/08/2007 15:12

Just posted this thread on Teenagers and then read this and thought it might be better here.

My DD is due to start secondary school in September. However she is going to be going to a school with a boy who lives near us and has taken a dreadful dislike to her. He has told her that she is not allowed to go to the local park and that if she does he will come round and smash our cars up (a threat that I am afraid I take seriously). I am at my wits end and I know that there is no point me going to see him or his parents as he is a complete yob and I think the situation will just be made worse. At the moment she just does as he says and doesn't go to the park, but I am concerned that he is also going to bully her when she gets to school. It seems to me that this he has the right to own the area and there doesn't seem to be anything I can do about it.

scienceteacher · 25/08/2007 17:07

My child is completely unfazed. He is going into year 9, at 13+.

I'm hoping that he starts to show more emotion soon.

hls · 26/08/2007 08:40

I'mchangingmyname...

Have you thought of contacting the police to explain the threats this boy has made to your property?

It is not right that your daughter is being bullied in this way.

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