The transition from primary school to secondary school is a major step in your child’s life. Although many children will feel accustomed to the change within the first couple of weeks, the new school transition can be extremely daunting. Even the most confident of children sometimes can feel overwhelmed when starting secondary school and it’s normal for the whole family to feel slightly apprehensive when adjusting to the new routine.
What is so different about secondary school?
- Larger school environment
- No personal desks/storage space
- Subject specific teachers
- Independent travel
- A greater volume and expectation of work and homework
- Need for greater organisation skills and timekeeping
What are the main transitional difficulties that children face?
- Finding their way around a new, larger environment
- Meeting new children
- Meeting new teachers
- Becoming accustomed to a personal timetable
- Moving from class-to-class
- Keeping belongings on their person throughout the day
- Independently organising work and homework
- Less supervision from teaching staff at break and lunchtimes
- Coping with new, more challenging topics and subjects
Our top tips
- Recognise that your child will be anxious and allow them to openly communicate their worries, fears and thoughts with you and other close relatives. Try to help them relax and reassure them that they will become accustomed to their new environment. It is important to not dismiss any worries your child may have – it is important that you listen to their worries and think about what you can do to help emotionally support them.
- It is important to establish a sincere and open relationship with your child’s new school. Be honest about your child’s needs/requirements and inform the secondary school’s SENCO or your child’s current primary school if you have any concerns. If you consider your child to be vulnerable, ensure that you have frequent contact with a key member of staff at the secondary school who you can work closely with you to help aid your child.
- Make sure to attend parent induction evenings – it will help you and your child’s new teachers get to know one another.
- Make sure that you are familiar with the school’s prospectus and policies (including attendance).
- Help your child take responsibility for their belongings and encourage them to use a locker.
- Help your child practice getting to school. Ensure that they are familiarised with walking/cycling/bus routes, have alternative plans (if they miss for bus, for example) and reach school within plenty of time. Also, do not forget to apply for a bus pass if needed.
- Ensure that all uniform is correct/appropriate (including footwear, hairstyles, jewellery etc.) and contact the secondary school if you have any queries in regards to school uniform codes and cost. It is extremely important that school uniform and supplies are bought in advance to avoid unwanted stress before the big day.
- Encourage and support your child’s independence and free thinking – listen to their opinions and freely engage in conversation with them. Not only will they reinforce and share their thoughts about what they are learning in secondary school, it will also help them to develop social skills and help to encourage a strong sense of self.
Checklist
The primary-to-high school scramble can be extremely chaotic and it can be very easy to miss something along the way.
We’ve pieced together a checklist to help avoid any new school panics!
Clothing and essentials
- School uniform; Shirts/Polo shirts, trousers, shorts/skirts, jumpers, ties, blazer, fleece
- Coat
- Hat, scarves and gloves
- Socks
- Comfortable shoes
- PE Kit; t-shirt, shorts, trainers , socks and gym bag
- Rucksack/large bag
- Lunchbox and bottle
- Wash-proof fabric markers
School Supplies
- Plain paper
- Notebooks
- Pencil case
- Pens
- Pencil set
- Colouring pencils
- Colouring pens
- Ruler
- Rubber
- Pencil Sharpener
- Handwriting Pen
- Scientific Calculator
- Basic maths set
- Exercise books
- Paper clips
- Highlighters
- Post-it Notes
- Diary
- Ring binder
- Plastic wallets
- USB stick
- Dictionary
- Thesaurus