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

[roisin]

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 ..?)

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?

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

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.

thanks all

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.

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