Y7- 2023/24 support thread

[BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz]

Hi, just dropping in a thread for those of us who have kids starting secondary this coming September. There was a lovely thread going last year and they are carrying it on into Year 8, so here is a place for us the year behind.

How is everyone feeling as they finish Primary and prepare for Secondary?

Dd is moving from a single form entry "family feel" type cosy Primary into a large 8 form entry, multiple building secondary. She's going alone, her primary class are really split up across multiple secondaries.

The transition days helped, and she is excited,but has been really sad this weke saying her goodbyes

Is everyone prepped for uniform etc?

Was really organised and bought the uniform in June. Some of it is still too big but DS is tiny for his age and they don't make it smaller so he's just going to have to roll his sleeves up or something.

We've just switched blazer too to one size down - the uniform shop was packed! I also realised I'd only bought one school skirt so have just done an emergency order from M&S. It's an odd colour and they didn't have any left in her size so have sized down and am hoping it will be ok.

No stationery requirements from our school so have just assumed they'll need scientific calculator and protractor set.

We haven't had their classes confirmed which is annoying as there are loads of girls going from DD2's primary, some of which are she is keener on than others.

We had a stationery list - pens pencils calculator protractor set, plus a purple and green biro. I know from primary they used these colours for marking each others work / adding in changes, so assume it's the same.

Ours also said all students are to carry a reading book in their bags at all times.

Just done the final uniform try on this morning so have spent the afternoon ironing in the name labels.

We got the uniform back in July so will be checking the fit tomorrow.

Haven't got around to the stationary list yet, was going to leave it til the day before when DS1 has a inset day when DS2 starts back at school. Our list unhelpfully just says pens/pencils without saying if they need to be a certain colour. We also have reading book on the list as well as the homework planner when they get them.

In a previous Y7 tips thread I read it said to have a pencil case for school and one for home so the school one never has to leave the bag.

Went to the uniform shop and a miracle happened: they had the overall we needed! Just came in today too! Now it's time for a final uniform fitting so I hope everything fits DD just fine. The non supplier stuff we brought back in June so I know that's fine.

We haven't got an equipment list (besides the things we needed to purchase from the school) so DD is just going to take the basics (pens, rubber, sharpener, ruler, pencil). Not quite sure if she'll need the different coloured pens everyone here is talking about - no one's said anything. Haven't got a water bottle or clothes labels either.

Arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! Guess there's going to be a last minute trip to the shops/ordering on Amazon this week.

My sons school seems to be the only one they all the school goes back on the same day, at the same time. So no different for the year 7s

Is anyone setting a cap on meal spending? Our secondary isn't a fixed price per meal like primary was - lots of hot food counters and various snacks bits. I wasn't sure whether to go free for all and just let dd try what she fancied in the first week or two, then cap it once she had an idea of what she likes / how long a lunch she gets.

@BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz I wish we had an option!! It'll be free for all and conversations with my son this end

The school set a limit of £7.50 😳and we'll let DC choose what they want for the first few weeks and then discuss an informal limit lower than £7.50!!!

@GeorgeSpeaks 7.50 per day?!

@twistyizzy that's an upper limit, but yes it's ridiculous!

DD11 has been on the waiting list for 2 years for a Autism assessment. I really wanted to know either way for September.

DD13 isn't in any classes with her tutor group. Not one. Also she was in a couple of "special" classes in Y7. They were small for people with dyslexia and those needing help.

In Y8 she was put in the regular classes. I think it's a lot to take in being in different groups all day. When I was in school 23 years ago we only mixed in Y10.

Dd13 didn't speak to many people she sat with last year and towards the end of the year it was awkward.

I know it's hard but I'd encourage your kids to at least say hi / general school chat to people they sit with.

Mine can both look stand off ish and unapproachable. Even bitchy. They aren't but I can see why done wouldn't talk to them. Dd13 has been told lots that she avoids all the drama and conflicts. Dd11 likes her own way. (Could be ASD related).

How many forms are in everyone's year?

Primary - 3
Secondary - 7

Also when dd13 started y7 they went in a day earlier than the rest of the school.

This year dd11 year will start on the same day as everyone else. Not even 10-15 minutes earlier to get them in before the rush. Seems odd?

@BernadetteRostankowskiWolowitz I think out is just a set price, which is actually cheaper than Primary (different boroughs) but I'm going to send DS in with a packed lunch on the first day as I'm not confident they will have set up the thumb print payment system in time!

@blahblahhhh Primary 1, Secondary 7 so a big difference

Primary 1 form intake of 16 kids
Secondary 3 forms of 22 kids

Primary had 2 classes, secondary have 9 forms!

I'm not sure how the dinners work at secondary school re payment/costs! Also need to have a parent credit for anything the school decide needs to be purchased on the day... need a second job at this rate!

Primary - 3
Secondary - about 12 / 13 I think

Primary 4 form entry.
Secondary 6 form entry.

DD2 all set to start on Wednesday. Y7 go in at the normal start time with the rest of the school later in the morning.

School have done an amazing job with transition so far, including a week of summer activities that DD reluctantly went to but actually enjoyed.

Most of the kids from her primary go there and she has two of her best friends in her form. They seem to have most lessons together too.

My older daughter has just left the school to start Y12 at college and her lovely form tutor is going to have DD2 this year.

DD2 currently very excited about starting. Has set up a planner with her lessons on and is hoping to try out for the lower school musical and dance club. Hopefully the enthusiasm continues!

Primary was 3 forms and Secondary 6.

There were only 5 kids in the year in primary for my DS, (and yes this is state), secondary is 4 forms of 32, so actually a pretty small secondary compared to most, but still seems huge to him!

Only 2 days left 😬. Have written a little piece of card which I've put in his mobile phone case with instructions on what to do if he misses the bus ad it will involve a different service bus from a different stop going to a different place at thar point! He knows what to do but it's just in case he panics.

Primary 2 forms to secondary 8 forms here.
Not sure we can set a limit for lunches on our system but pretty easy to upload money so I just upload budget at the weekend. Gave DS1 a weekly limit rather than daily - this works really well after the first few weeks of settling in/experimenting and a bit more flexible for them. Did have to keep telling him how much money was left on his account though as there unfortunately doesn’t seem to be an easy way for them to check themselves.
DS2 was adamant that he would stick to packed lunches last time I asked him (not mentioning school atm) - the school has asked for them anyway the first week so they can set them up on the system. We will see if he changes his mind after lugging it around all day (no lockers for most kids here).
I’ve done DS2 a laminated map of the school as he was worrying about getting lost, not sure if it will get used but hopefully just having it will help. Thankfully the school is walkable so no panic about buses here.
Any other kids really really nervous? DS2 was nearly in tears yesterday because his grandma sent him a good luck card. Ran out of the room telling me to hide it and he didn’t want to talk about it! Not really sure what I can do to help but slightly scared he will just refuse to go on Weds and then what? Argh!

@Walkingbkwrm yes DD is nervous but slightly less than previously as we've met 1 or 2 of her form mates over summer. I am a bag of nerves however but trying to hide it. Hasn't helped that we've all had covid so the last week of her time before secondary has been spent in bed!!

That’s bad luck @twistyizzy . Hope you are all feeling better now. Sadly all of DS’s friends have been away for the last few weeks. His best mate isn’t back until late Monday. Hopefully they can meet up Tues though and 🤞they then don’t wind each other up & get even more stressed!