Back-to-school questions? Ask a primary school teacher for chance to win a £200 Tesco voucher

[CeriMumsnet]

A new school year brings plenty of excitement, but it can also come with lots of questions. Whether your child is starting Reception, moving into a new year group or simply settling back into school routines, September can bring everything from first-day nerves and friendship worries to packed lunch dilemmas and lost uniform.

That's why we've invited primary school teacher Emily Cheer to answer your questions about preparing for the new school year. Whether you're looking for practical tips, reassurance or advice on what to expect, Emily is here to help.

About Emily
Emily is a primary school teacher with 14 years of classroom experience across Early Years, Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2. As a parent herself, she understands the worries, questions and emotions that come with each new school year, from both a teacher's and a parent's perspective. She's passionate about supporting children and their families, and is looking forward to sharing her experience to help answer parents' questions and ease any back to school worries.

We're working with Tesco to help take the stress out of back-to-school shopping. From great-value, quality-guaranteed school uniform to stationery, lunchboxes and water bottles, you'll find all your back-to-school essentials in one place

Everyone who posts a questions by 30 September will be entered into a prize draw to win a £200 Tesco voucher (T&Cs)

Do school policies trump SEND legislation?

Do you have any tips for getting your kids to talk about what they did during their school day?

Also would love any advice you have for supporting summer born children. I fear that there will be lots they can’t do in comparison to older children (handwriting etc) and I don’t want them to feel sad about it

Same as the poster above - how can I get my DS6 to share more about what he's done during the school day? He's at afterschool clubs most days of the week and tells me he doesn't remember by the time I get him at 530. I'd love to be able to engage and support what he's doing at school.

Never ask what they did - try tell me one thing you enjoyed today.

What is the most important thing(s) parents can do to support their child at primary school?

How do you support the very youngest - my friends DD has a birthday at the end of August so only just turns 4 at the start of the school year - whilst some of her peers would be almost 5 - having September and October birthdays - I know a year is not a lot when they are in year 6 but it's a big deal in reception.

Getting back to early mornings is the hardest thing for us - I'm definitely a night owl and so are my dcs, and I like being able to relaxed about bedtimes during the school holidays. How can I make it easier for the dcs (and myself) when the early nights and early mornings don't suit our body clocks?

How do you encourage your shy kids to make friends and be more confident?

I have a daughter who's always scared on the first day of every school year. She gets panic attacks and then the rest of the year she's fine. Is there anything I can do to help her? I've spoken to her already and she's said she doesn't know why, but she's always nervous and her eyes automatically water.

Homework at our school isn’t mandatory and DS8 is really academic but it’s still so hard getting him to do it. Do you have any tips on encouraging out of school learning (reading books for fun and doing worksheets)?

How can I help a child really struggles with friendships? Has no problem in social groups outside of school but just seems to struggle within the school setting.

Any advice for how many activities are too many, getting the balance between school and clubs?

How much communication between parents and the teacher is normal ?

How do you deal with change every year when the classes (3) gets mixed up all the time and the explanation from school it is for children’s benefit when clearly some struggle more than others to make friends and adapt to change?

What is the best way to help a child who is quiet and finds it difficult to make friends at school, without making them feel pressured or more anxious?

The children get so tired after school and need down time but I am reluctant that that is just screens. Is there a good way to help them with their stamina across a long winter term?

How would you advise getting a new year seven used to the increased demands of homework?

Do you have any tips for a 7 year old girl fm 9 year old boy both starting new schools? They are very nervous 😓

What can I do to encourage my child to contribute more in class? I think they're worried about getting things wrong and being laughed at :(

My child constantly sucks her thumb for sensory regulation, which is causing continuous threadworm reinfections. Telling her to stop doesn't work and upsets her; how can I work with her teacher to stop this habit during the school day? What strategies actually work to keep fingers out of mouths and to make sure kids wash their hands well enough?

How do you help children who just can't get to sleep at night early enough to ha e a full night's sleep and wake up in time for school?

My sons Autistic and keeps struggling with sensory overload in class making him lash out, any advice appreciated, he is under the senco but shes gone on maternity leave so a bit stumped, he is ok at home in his own environment

My sons Autistic and keeps struggling with sensory overload in class making him lash out, any advice appreciated, he is under the senco but shes gone on maternity leave so a bit stumped, he is ok at home in his own environment

What level of supervision for KS2 children is normal during break time and can parents do anything if they feel it’s not enough? My dc (9yo) tells me many incidents happening at lunch break and when I ask what did the teacher do, the answer is she wasn’t there.
There are children who hurt someone (physically or verbally) every day- if there’ not enough staff to watch all the children all the time, surely certain pupils need to be identified as needing supervision at most times by an adult for everyone’s safety and well-being?