Newbie to secondary

[ZarquonsSandals]

I'm sure this has been done to death so please feel free to signpost me.

I've got just one DC who will be moving to secondary school in Sept. Currently attending a large local primary.

Senior school is not local. No friends going there.
We have upcoming prospective parents' evening and induction days.
What do I need to ask/be aware of?

Uniform seems very costly so will ask about 2nd hand and how they square this with Education Act on affordability.
I think there is an agreement with a local bus Co, again will ask.

DC is pretty good at making new friends so no major concerns there.

I'm fairly sure I'm being pfb, but please be gentle.

Bump
Nobody?

Every school is different so the world of Mumsnet can't answer that.
Are you on Facebook? Join a local group for the area the school is in. You will find lots of information there if you ask.
About the bus thing - did you not find this out before applying to the school? (Or if you were randomly allocated this school did you not find out when before you accepted the place?)

If they will be coming home by bus, make sure they know which stop to get off at. My ds didn't know (even though he'd been there), stayed on the bus to the end of route and then panicked. I'm told it happens every year to at least one child. 😀

They'll tell you/give you loads of info, listen / read and your questions will come naturally.

Is there an afterschool/homework club option? How do you reserve a place?

How to report absences?

Who do you contact with day to day problems?

I would ask

• what involvement do you expect from parents wrt homework / how much he is expected
• who to contact in first instance in case of issues settling in or in specific subject, and how
• how to apply for subsidies for uniform or trips.

(I don't personally think asking about education act re uniform will be a great first impression)

• which subjects if any they set for in y7

I'm sure they will cover it at induction, but my DC were really worried about things like what EXACTLY they would be doing on the first day and what happened if they got lost. So you might want to ask your DC if they have anything they want to know.
other than that, I didn't find the parents' evenings that useful. So I wouldn't worry too much.

That's all helpful thanks.

Re bus - there was some info on the webpage but it mentioned 3 different types of pass available. I've spoken to the bus company who initially told me the wrong thing.

They seem to be very good at loading us with info, so I'm sure I'll find out all I need to know by Sept.