Preparing for secondary
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Perhaps you remember the change from primary to secondary school yourself? Last term you were a big fish in a small pond, now you're the youngest and smallest child amongst hundreds of young adults. Some of your friends will have gone to different schools, everything is new, and that includes the work ethic.
In primary school, your child is strongly directed in their study, told what to do, and when and how to do it. In secondary school, your child is left much more to their own devices. They're encouraged to ask any questions they have, study independently, manage their homework and produce it on time. For some children, making that change can be a struggle.
There are ways you can help them to adjust better and here are a few ideas.
Towards the end of Year 6, encourage them to follow routines they'll need to make the transition to secondary school. These include:
- Checking their lesson timetable and packing a bag before bed.
- Having a healthy breakfast in the morning before leaving for school.
- Making a homework schedule and trying hard to stick to it.
Most importantly, keep talking to your child: forewarned is forearmed!
Starting secondary school
What should you know about the transition from primary to secondary school?
The transition from a primary school to a secondary school can be daunting for parents, let alone for their children. There are some simple steps that you can take to ensure that the change is as smooth as possible.
You will already have had to consider numerous practical issues:
- How do I choose which school is right for my child?
- Where can I buy the new school uniform?
- What is the best route to get to and from the new school?
What you may not have realised is the scale of the change for your child.
From being the biggest fish in a small pond in Year 6 at primary school, children suddenly find themselves a small fish in a huge pond in Year 7 at secondary school. They can sometimes feel intimidated and disorientated. The comfort blanket of having one teacher and one classroom each year is no longer there. In fact, everything is different. The new school will seem a large, confusing place at first, and your child will have a new teacher and new classroom for most lessons.
Very few children remain unsettled for long, but, as a parent, you should take an active interest and offer all the support you can during this period.
How can you help your child feel at ease quickly in their new school?
- Encourage your child to get to know their new surroundings as quickly as possible. Help them work out their route from lesson to lesson.
- Reassure them of the support networks that they have amongst their parents, teachers and friends. Encourage them to always ask for help or advice as soon as they feel they may need it.
Taking responsibility during Key Stage 3
Another difference between primary and secondary schooling is the increased responsibility given to your child to manage their own time and workload. In primary school, the teacher will have clearly prompted their students to learn and present their work on time. Once at secondary school though, the student is given much more responsibility for researching and preparing work. It's up to you now! This is part of growing up and represents a vital life skill beyond the classroom. As a parent, you are in the best place to encourage your child to take responsibility for their work.
How can you help your child during Key Stage 3?
- Provide a quiet room with a desk, office chair and good light. If space is tight at home (or it's simply a noisy place) click here for lots of advice and information on places outside the school that are freely available for your child to work from.
- Take an interest in what your child is doing at school: what are they studying, what homework do they have and when is it due to be handed in?
Can your child work while they are at school?
Some students might want to earn some extra pocket money from a part time job. The regulations covering this are:
- You must be 13 years or over.
- The employer has to notify the LEA and, if they're happy and the job's on their approved list, they'll issue a permit. If your child's schoolwork is deemed to suffer as a result of any work they do, the LEA may remove the permit.
- There must be a two-week break from any work every summer.
- You can work two hours on school days, two hours on Sunday and five hours (13-14 years) or eight hours (15-16 years) on Saturday.
- You can't work more than 12 hours a week.