Starting school question

[CadburyDream]

My son starts secondary school in September I have been invited to a meeting before he starts. This is not a group parents meeting it's just us, is this normal? This is new to me so don't know if this is normal or not. The email doesn't state what the meeting is for I would have imagined it to be a group meeting so just wondering.

@CadburyDream Seems odd to me unless DS has SEN. If so, that would be fairly normal to discuss provision. I would email back and ask why a meeting has been suggested, what is to be discussed and who it’s with? Otherwise it sounds very odd (and exclusive) for a secondary school.

Oh yes! I would ask if they are seeing everyone! Why have you been asked?

Yes there is no details in the email at all which is what's confusing me. He doesn't have sen.

It's not unusual for a form tutor to meet the child plus parents before they start the school.

Normal for my kids school pre-Covid, although no longer

My DC's school had 1:1 meetings with new starters (and their parents) in the summer term before they started. The meeting was for the student/parents to ask any questions they had. The student was also asked about interests and things like favourite and least favourite subject. It was with a random member of staff (not form tutor or anything like that) and was optional. It was also quite good to have an informal look at some of the school and an informal chat.

If yours is just with parents, that does sound odd though.

We do primary school visits to the new starters and try to chat to either the Head or the y6 teacher at the same time. Then on Induction Day (late June/early July) parents come in the afternoon to meet SLT, HoY and new form tutors if they are available. Could it be something similar?