The primary sevens will soon be making the big move from JGPS to Secondary School. Changing school should be exciting but they might also feel a bit nervous. It will involve a lot of changes and new experiences in August.
At school we shall try to think of ways which may help to make this transition easier for pupils both at home and at school, and help prepare them for all the changes ahead.
Guide For Parents
Getting into Routines
You can help your child get into the swing of things at their new school by setting up a few simple routines that will ease their worries about adjusting to Secondary School.
- Encourage your child to pack everything they need for school before they go to bed – books, lunch money, sports kit and other equipment.
- Make sure they have a good balanced breakfast before they leave. It’ll give them the energy they need to concentrate better during lessons.
- Get to know your child’s timetable. Make a copy so you can remind them about things like packing their sports kit if you need to
- Find out about any homework they have each day and check that they are managing to keep up
- Make sure you see all the letters your child is sent home. Some parents find it works to set up a system, such as pinning the letters to the kitchen notice board or fridge door so they don’t get misplaced. Suggest that your child has a folder in their bag for any letters or important information to be stored until they get home to stop something important getting crushed, lost or mixed up with something else.
Staying Safe
You can make sure your child stays safe by establishing a few simple rules about travelling to and from school and what they do when they are home alone.
- Make sure your child knows their home phone number, and the number of another trusted adult and how to use 999 in emergencies
- Whether they’re walking to the bus stop or all the way to school, make sure your child sticks to road safety rules. You can emphasis it doesn’t just apply to little kids!
- It’s always a good idea if they travel to school at first with friends or family
- If cycling, they should have an understanding of the Highway Code.
- If they’re spending time on their own after school and before you get home, establish rules about inviting friends over and locking doors.
Dealing with Homework
Having a lot of homework to do every evening is one of the big changes your child will get used to at Secondary School. What they’ll have to do depends on each subject but it could be anything from researching books, the Internet or even making something for the next lesson
- Don’t let your child do their homework in front of the TV
- Clear a space, free of clutter, specifically for them to do their homework
- Talk to your child about the tasks they’ve got to do: it’ll show them you’re interested and help them meet their deadlines. Try not to nag, they’ll get irrigated and you will feel wound up!
- The amount of homework your child is expected to do will be covered in the school’s homework policy or in the School Handbook
Tackling Problems
Some children adjust really quickly to their new environment; others take a little longer to get used to the new challenges and demands of Secondary School
- Keep talking to your child about how they’re getting on.
- Remind your child that everyone is adjusting in their own way; children who appear super confidence can be just as nervous as everyone else, only better at covering it up
- If you discover your child is having difficulties, encourage them to talk about them, and make sure the school knows what’s going on – know which member of staff to contact
- Be positive: encourage your child to see Secondary School as a chance to try out new challenges.
Other Information
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Your Secondary School Handbook will provide you with further details of timetables, subjects studied, school times and key staff contacts such as guidance, school office, medical room etc. The school website is another useful source of information for both you and your child.
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James Gillespie’s High School modern languages information 02.02.22