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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

I think I need a yr 7 teacher to convince me that it'll all be ok

25 replies

MaureenMLove · 05/09/2007 22:36

DD started secondary school today. I've just read the overview of what is expected of her for the Autumn term and theres so much! She's only 11 and there's so much. I'm really worried about her not being able to cope. Her literacy isn't that good. She's got it all 'up there' , but when it comes to getting it down on paper, she's just not very good at it. Her writting is, frankly appauling, as is her spelling. I hope she's not singled out or bullied for it. So, so worried that her confidence will plummet and we'll be fighting a loosing battle.

OP posts:

Whizzz · 06/09/2007 14:48

I'm not a teacher but I am a TA in a secondary school. Have her difficulties been picked up at primary ? If so, if her school is anything like mine, she will have been highlighted to the SENCO - who will ensure staff are aware &that she is given some support if & when its needed. Our new Yr 7 intake is vast & varied with all sorts of abilities, I'm sure she won;t be singled out or bullied but if you have any concerns, give the school a ring & try & talk to the head of year / form tutor or SENCO

Blandmum · 06/09/2007 14:58

She will be OK. trust me I teach year 7.

Does she have an IEP that flags up her problems with literacy? Did the primary school have her listed on the schools Special needs regester? Has the secondary school been informed?

Original poster

MaureenMLove · 06/09/2007 16:20

I think I may have misled you a tiny bit! She is ok with literacy. She did achieve a level 5, but having seen the standard of writing and reading from all the others that are going from her school, she seems to be the worst of the lot. I'm being silly really, I know, but you just worry, don't you? Shes a sensitive kid at times and I just know she'll be embarrassed if she can't keep up. The school are very aware that not everyone progresses at the same speed and they have shaddow classes with one to one, should she need it. Thank you so much for your comments though, I think the whole new school thing was getting to me last night! All of a sudden I'm out of my depth. I've known exactly who and where to go at primary for the last 6 years and suddenly I'm in the dark again! I just needed reassurance that year 7 is pretty much an extension of yr 6 really. Thanks again.

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Blandmum · 06/09/2007 16:24

Oh with a level 5 she will be fine!

When you said she had problems with literacy I thought you meant she had SEN

For example a few years ago I taught 3 children of 11 who had reading ages of 5-6....those are the sorts of issues that the school worries about. Children who cannot write in sentences, cannot write their name etc

A level 5 is above average for a child of her age.

She will be fine.

TellusMater · 06/09/2007 16:27

Gawd, with a level 5 she will be just fine .

In fact, she will probably really enjoy lessons like science where it's not all about spelling and neatness (although we do prefer legible work ).

Don't fret

Original poster

MaureenMLove · 06/09/2007 16:46

Thankyou. You must think I'm a basket case or pushy mother now! Just a mixture of first day nerves and pmt! She's just in and she's got her first merit point in food tech class! It was a quiz which has something to do with CATs and it was about health and healthy eating - she got 27/30. Very proud she knows about good food!

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MamaG · 06/09/2007 16:49

oh Mo! Bless you, I'll be the same as you when my DD starts high school

Hope MB has reassured you

Original poster

MaureenMLove · 06/09/2007 16:56

Its horrible MamaG!! She's all growed up and going to school on her own and everything. I don't know what she does all day and I hate it!

Still she is big enough to make her own breakfast and pack lunch and pop up a cuppa to me on the way out the door!

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Shoshable · 06/09/2007 17:07

Mo I had to take DGD bra shopping before she started, went with a friend who was most put out that DGD had bigger boobs! SHE IS ELEVEN where did they come from!!!! NOT ALLOWED

Hulababy · 06/09/2007 17:08

She'll be fine. It is a case of mummy's first day nerves - your baby is at really big school now and I bet that feels really strange for you. Hope is DD? Bet she is coping way better - don't they all? LOL

I used to teach Y7 and was a Y7 tutor for quite a while. Your DD's teacher will have all the info about her from her primary school and they will be taking care to get to know thier pupils over the next few weeks. They'll see her right

Original poster

MaureenMLove · 06/09/2007 17:22

It won't be long before her bras are the same size as mine either Shosh! She's started looking all gorgeous with her long blonde hair and skinny waist!

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SixKindsofCrisis · 06/09/2007 17:29

It's harder for mums, I think, when their children start at secondary school than it is when they start Reception. It really feels that they are going out into the Big Bad World, beyond the reach of your protective care. All best wishes to you Maureen. Hope your dd is enjoying herself.

Original poster

MaureenMLove · 06/09/2007 19:05

Thanks SKoC. She certainly seems ok. I grilled her for almost an hour tonight, until she said 'is that it? Can I go now!'

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MummyPenguin · 06/09/2007 22:38

Oh maureen, I'm with ya all tha way Sista!! (Can you tell I've been sneakily reading my DD's texts? )

My DD started secondary this week too. It's bloody weird isn't it? My DD has been going to and from school on the school bus, and is so cool about doing that. I, on the other hand, have been fretting. DH is off work this week and I'm a bit that he's not doing the fretting with me! What is it with men?

We had a bit of an incident today - DD's locker padlock has been cut off we don't know why or by whom. The worrying thing is that all her games kit was in there, the lot, tracksuit, swimming costume and everything. They were asked to bring it in yesterday for a check it's really expensive, as is all her uniform as it can only be bought from the uniform shop. She's spoken to her form tutor about it and he said he'd speak to the caretaker. DH has emailed the school this evening too. Hopefully we'll get some answers tomorrow. I wish she'd brought the kit home, but she didn't so I hope it's still there tomorrow...

Right, I'm waffling, so I'll push off. Hope your DD will be fine, I'm sure she will. It's us we've got to worry about!

MummyPenguin · 06/09/2007 22:40

Whizz, just interested to know which secondary you're a TA in as you're in my neck of the woods aren't you? (Bournemouth) I understand if you don't want to risk outing your real identity

dmo · 07/09/2007 09:32

ds started high school on tuesday and up to know seems ok but hasnt been eating breakfast or dinner and has been getting up at 5.30am with his head down the toilet full of nerves
made him toast this morning but he started to cry saying he wasnt hungry and if he ate it he would be late left our house at 7.45am
feeling pretty upset at moment

seeker · 07/09/2007 09:53

My dd has done two days of secondary school and is still as high as a kite! She was so scared she couldn't even cry on Wednesday morning but I met her off the bus in the afternoon and she was with a group of laughing "hair swingers" and looking as if she had grown up in 8 hours!

Level 5 is well above average, MML - she'll be fine. And they do assessments at the beginning of year 7 so if she does need extra help she'll get it.

I hate the not knowing what they are doing as well - it's so different from primary! Could she send you a sneaky text at lunch time? My dd did this on the first day - it made us both feel much better!

Original poster

MaureenMLove · 07/09/2007 12:19

TEXT ME! God no! Taking a mobile onto school premises is a sackable offence! Noone is excempt from this rule and if you are caught with a phone, it is returned to the parents by appointment only!! She'll be absolutely fine, she couldn't give a stuff about little old me at home! I have no idea how she managed level 5 in literacy btw. Her writing and spelling are truely awful, I promise! I couldn't read her timetable and she still struggles with some of the most basic spellings.

DMO, I'm so that ds is struggling. I hope he manages to relax soon. That has got to be heaps worse than me not being able to look at a website.

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Whizzz · 07/09/2007 14:54

MummyPenguin - you had me worried there for a bit....but I'm sorry, I'm nowhere near Bournemouth

seeker · 08/09/2007 09:21

Maureen - how did she get on? Interesting about the phones - my dd is at an incredibly strict girls grammar school - but they are allowed to use their phones at break and lunch times. I had 4 texts on the first day, two on the second and none on the third!

MummyPenguin · 08/09/2007 10:43

Sorry Whizz!! I did actually have a look at your profile after I posted that, and saw that you aren't near Bournemouth!

MummyPenguin · 08/09/2007 10:45

Same here Seeker. My DD is at a grammar too, and have the same policy on phones. I really like being able to have that contact, it gives me a lot of peace of mind.

Original poster

MaureenMLove · 08/09/2007 11:58

She's having a great time thanks, seeker. Its as if she's been there for years already! She's at a non-selective school, but with hard work she is able to move into the grammar stream that they have there, so best of both worlds really. She hasn't had a lot of homework, unlike her friends that went to grammar. Its been a bit of a shock for them and some of them are upset and fed up already!
The phone thing is a sign of the times, I think. Our parents didnt know where we were, so I guess the Head thinks we'll cope! I do understand to a certain extent. He stressed that what with all these flash camera phones and internet access phones, he didn't want to be held responsible for any 'situations' whereby children were caught on camera and put on the web without their knowledge. I guess he felt that a blanket ban would solve the problem. Thankfully, the school is only 15 mins away and she's home by 3.30, so she wont be home in the dark, even in winter.

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seeker · 09/09/2007 06:03

It was lovely getting texts on the first day - but then I was sad on Friday because she didn't text me - even though I was glad she didn't need to!

It's a problem though - I think ideally I would prefer if they wern't allowed to have them - but it's also useful when the children are travelling quite long distances to school. I was surprised that dd was allowed to use hers during the day. I'm not sure that's a good idea.
Glad dd is fine, Maureen - how are the litle penguine and dmo's ds?

twinsetandpearls · 13/09/2007 23:25

I am a head of year seven and with level 5 literacy she should be more than OK, my level five kids are in the top set. You do get the odd occasion when kids are overhelped in their SATS which makes life very difficult later on but I don't think from reading your posts that this is the case.

But if you are worried do call the school that is what they are there for.

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