Starting Secondary - what do you wish you'd asked in advance?

6 replies

roisin · 16/06/2008 22:20

What do we need to know about ds1 starting secondary?

We (me and ds1) have interview with SMT tomorrow afternoon. We've had no 'pack' from the school yet, so I presume we'll be given that and loads of info.

Is there anything specific I should be asking? I work in a secondary myself, we've had a personal tour round new school with SMT during school day, so I don't think I've got many questions.

I do want to know:
What is school policy on mobiles?
If we/he has serious problems/concerns who should we contact in first instance. (HoH, head of Yr, Form Tutor ..?)

OP posts:

AMumInScotland · 17/06/2008 09:14

Practicalities - where and when should they report on the first day. And what do they need with them.
Do they have lockers or somewhere else to store their books - if so, will they need to have a deposit for a locker key?
How are lunches arranged - do they pay in cash or have a card?

If they have to phone in sick, what number do you phone and when? And do they have to bring a note on their first day back?

What do they have to do if they are late?

scaryteacher · 17/06/2008 10:11

What the discipline procedure is and how the pastoral system works.

christywhisty · 17/06/2008 11:50

We had a huge information pack last July and DS got a school planner and a booklet on his first day and it answered everything.

The only thing we weren't sure about was what equipment they needed.

Original poster

roisin · 18/06/2008 20:52

thanks all

OP posts:

heronsfly · 18/06/2008 21:01

I would ask what they really need to take on the first few days,the answer is often, themselves [in uniform obviously] some pencils and lunch .
My dd1 went with everything, pe kit, book list ect and most of it wasent needed.

ScienceTeacher · 18/06/2008 21:08

All the questions that have been asked here have already been answered by the school for my DD, who moves up this year.

Mobiles - must be switched off and left in the locker

Serious problem - can go to Year 11 mentor, Form Tutor, or Head of Pastoral Care.

First day - come to Reception the day before school starts for a Y7 orientation half-day.

Kit list is provided in the pack we have already received - bring it all on the first day.

Lockers - everyone gets one and they have a combination lock

Lunches - included in the fees

Sick/late/policies - all in the Planner.

Pastoral system - explained at Parents' information evening

Flip