Parent guide – How to support children in secondary school
The transition from primary to secondary school is a big one, It can raise feelings of anxiety, uncertainty and insecurity for many children and their families, due to the challenges that may come with making new friends, children becoming more independent, entering a new curriculum stage and meeting new teachers. Whilst children may not always air their concerns, the prospect of transitioning to secondary school may stir feelings of separation anxiety from their current group of friends, teachers they have grown attached to and routines that they are familiar with. The transition to secondary school from primary school also coincides with the onset of puberty for many young people, meaning that a large number of children are experiencing hormonal changes simultaneously. A successful transition to secondary school can have a wholly positive impact on a child’s experience of school and learning for many years to come.
Starting secondary school is a significant milestone in a child’s life. It marks a passage into adolescence and brings about several significant changes. They will go from being the oldest in school to being the youngest, having to find their way around a large new school with different teachers for different subjects. They will also have to take more responsibility, such as:
- Taking a new and unfamiliar route
- Planning for each day’s timetable
- Making sure they have the right books and equipment
- Doing homework most evenings, which has to fit into their routine alongside other interests
All of this will have to fit into your child’s new routine, alongside their other interests and the often-daunting prospect of becoming a teenager. It can take time for children to adjust to these new responsibilities.
Here are 3 key points on how you can support your child practically on those first important weeks of Secondary school:
- Encourage your child to get organised for school the evening before. Try and resist the temptation to do everything. Your child needs to learn to manage their time efficiently and they won’t do it if you get everything ready for them
- Have a calendar and timetable on display at home clearly marked with different equipment and books needed for different days
- If your child is getting to school on public transport for the first time, find out if any friends live nearby so they can travel together
Think about your own experience of when you first started secondary school, how did you feel about the lead-up? What were the first few weeks of school life like for you? How can you pass this wisdom on to your child?
At the Academic Coach,
we offer a Primary Transition Bootcamp to help students make the big jump to secondary school, to find out more contact us.