by David Quinney | Feb 27, 2024 | News
In the whirlwind of secondary school life, maintaining a balance between school, extra-curricular activities, and personal life can sometimes feel like navigating a maze without a map. With the right routine in place, students can not only survive but thrive in this dynamic environment. At team Academic Coach we understand the importance of establishing an effective routine early on to set the stage for academic success. As a parent, you will naturally want to do everything possible to support your child in secondary school. Take a look at our 10-step comprehensive guide to help you to support your child with a routine that maximises productivity, fosters well-being, and lays the foundation for achievement and an effective learning experience.
- Set Goals: Before diving into crafting a routine, it is essential to define clear academic goals. Whether it’s achieving specific grades or mastering certain subjects, having a clear vision will guide the creation of your routine.
- Prioritise Tasks: Identify the most important tasks each day and prioritise them accordingly. Focus on completing high-priority tasks first to make the best use of your time.
- Create a Structured Schedule: Design a schedule that includes dedicated time slots for studying, attending classes, homework, extracurricular activities, and lots. Be realistic about the time needed for each task and allocate breaks to avoid burnout.
- Adopt Effective Study Techniques: Incorporate proven study techniques such as active recall, spaced repetition, and the Pomodoro Technique into your routine to enhance learning and retention. Experiment with different methods to find what works best for you.
- Get Organised: Keep track of assignments, deadlines, and important dates using your school planner, a calendar app, or a digital organiser. Regularly review your schedule to stay on top of upcoming tasks and avoid last-minute cramming and unnecessary pressure.
- Maintain a Healthy Balance: Balance academic commitments with leisure activities, exercise, and socialising to prevent burnout and maintain overall well-being. Remember to prioritise self-care, including adequate sleep and healthy meals.
- Seek Support: Take advantage of all the support mechanisms available to you as this will make school life more manageable. Do not hesitate to reach out for help if you’re struggling with a particular subject or aspect of your routine. Whether it’s seeking assistance from teachers, peers, parents, and relatives, or online coaches like those offered by our academic coaching service, asking for support is a sign of strength, not weakness.
- Reflect and Adapt: Regularly evaluate your routine to identify what’s working well and what needs adjustment. Be flexible and willing to adapt your schedule as circumstances change or new challenges arise.
- Stay Motivated: Find inspiration and motivation by setting short-term milestones and celebrating achievements along the way. Be around people who bring out the best in you, supportive peers, and mentors who encourage your academic growth and success.
- Stay Consistent: Consistency is key to the success of any routine. Stick to the schedule as much as possible, even on days when motivation is low, to build habits that lead to long-term success.
By following this 10-step guide, your child can establish an effective routine that enhances productivity, fosters well-being, and sets the stage for academic success. Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day, so be patient with yourself as you navigate the journey toward your academic goals. With dedication, composure, and the right support system in place, your child can enjoy school life and thrive academically.
by David Quinney | Dec 19, 2023 | News
As your child progresses through Years 8 and 9 of secondary school, they are about to embark on a pivotal journey – making their first real learning choices. Understanding the significance of these choices and how to support your child in making them is crucial. In Year 8 or 9, your child will choose the subjects and qualifications they will study in Years 10 and 11, and the timing and available options will depend on the school. While core subjects like English, maths, Welsh, and science are mandatory, your child will also have the opportunity to select additional subjects that align with their interests and abilities. Choosing the right subjects is paramount. To help you and your child navigate this decision-making process, schools will provide valuable information about subject choices and the timing of these decisions. Some of the key details you can expect to receive include:
- Assessment Details: Information about how each course is assessed, which may include details about exams and coursework.
- Subject Curriculum: An outline of the topics and concepts covered within each subject.
- Types of Qualifications: An overview of the qualifications available, such as GCSEs and vocational courses.
- Grading Criteria: An explanation of how these qualifications are graded and what each grade signifies.
Equipped with this information, you’ll be better prepared to guide your child in making an informed decision about what subjects they would like to study. It’s highly recommended that parents attend the school’s options evening and take advantage of opportunities to speak with teachers, should you have any questions or require additional details.
The subjects your child chooses in Years 8 and 9 can have a profound impact on their future educational and career paths. Here’s why these choices matter:
- Sixth Form or College: The subjects and grades your child achieves may influence their eligibility for specific sixth form or college programs.
- University Options: Subject choices and grades are often prerequisites for university admission and can determine which courses and qualifications they can pursue later.
- Apprenticeships: Certain apprenticeship programs may have subject-specific requirements, affecting your child’s eligibility for their desired career path.
- Career Prospects: The subjects your child chooses now may shape their future career options, as certain professions may require specific qualifications or subjects at the secondary school level.
- Impact of Subject Choices: Your child’s selection of subjects now might set the stage for their future academic and professional pursuits.
Additionally, your child will receive guidance from a Careers Wales advisor before making their option subject choices. These sessions may be conducted in groups and typically encompass:
- Information about Various Occupations: Insights into different job opportunities and industries.
- Future Skills in Demand: A look at the skills and competencies that will be highly sought after in the job market.
- Interactive Career-Related Workshops: Engaging activities and workshops to help students explore potential career paths.
- Decision-Making Tools: Techniques and resources to assist students in making informed career decisions.
At The Academic Coach, we specialise in providing support for students in Year 10 and above. We are committed to assisting you and your child on their academic journey, ensuring they are well-prepared to make the right subject choices and excel in their secondary school education. We believe that with proper guidance and support, every student can achieve their full potential and thrive academically.
by David Quinney | Dec 6, 2022 | News
What do you want to know?
Now your child is away from you for 6 hours of the day you may wonder what they are getting up to. All children prefer to learn in different ways and enjoy a wide variety of things – just like us adults. Parents’ evening is a great way to find out more about your child’s passions so that you can make the most of their enthusiasm when they are at home and do activities that will nurture these interests. If you want to know more about what goes on in school or have any concerns about your child, now is your time to ask.
Is there anything you would like the school to know?
It’s easy to think of parents’ evening as just a way for the teacher to let you know how your child is getting on, but don’t forget that there may be things that you want them to know, too. If your child is saying that they aren’t happy at school or maybe there are issues at home that may have impacted your child, let the school know so that they can support them as much as possible. There’s usually very little a teacher hasn’t been told before and even though you may feel reluctant to share some information, trust us, it will definitely help.
What will the sessions look like?
Every school will have different arrangements, and these will be based on the layout of the school and what is now in place since the pandemic. Most schools will offer a video call (Zoom, MS Teams etc) or a face-to-face meeting, and some may come up with other innovative alternatives. If you are invited into school, you can expect to be asked to sanitise your hands, wear a mask and maintain a 2m social distance. Some schools may install screens for the meetings or take additional precautions; rest assured that these are in place to keep everyone safe and your support and cooperation will undoubtedly be appreciated.
Should you take your child?
There are different thoughts on whether children should attend parents’ evening and some schools will say whether this is appropriate. You know your child and are the best person to decide if it’s a good idea; have a think about whether they will sit quietly and listen, because if they don’t it may distract you and hinder your ability to concentrate fully on what the teacher is saying. If it’s a late session on an evening, your child may be tired and you may want to find someone to look after them. Or if you have something sensitive that you wish to discuss, it might be better to leave them at home. Teachers appreciate that it is not always possible to find childcare, so speak to them if you are struggling to make the appointment and they will help come up with other arrangements.
What might the teacher say?
You will hear all about your child’s progress and whether they are working at the expected level for their age. Reading, writing and arithmetic are essential skills and you can expect the teacher to let you know how your child is getting on in these areas. They may offer some strategies to support your child; if they do, make sure you get all the information you need about how to implement them. They will also tell you about how your child has settled in, about their friendship groups, and they will also let you know if they have any concerns. In some cases, your child may display some challenging behaviours in class and this is not an easy conversation with parents, but it is important that you know. Listen to what the teacher has to say, take notes if necessary and try not to be defensive. Don’t forget that you are a team and that you will work on these areas for development together.
What should you do after parents’ evening?
If it’s late when you get home, it’s probably best to wait until the following day to catch up with your child, especially if you feel it may be a difficult or emotional conversation, as you want don’t to unsettle them just before they’re going to bed. When you do speak to your child about what the teacher has said and praise your child for what they have achieved, it’s important that they hear the positives and you talk about their experiences at school. If there are things that they need to work on, discuss these and agree on what you can do, together, to help. It’s helpful to speak to the other family members who spend a lot of time with your child about what the teacher has said so that everyone is aware of how they can support and aid their development.
What if you still have things you want to discuss?
Sometimes, a ten-minute chat isn’t enough with the teacher and you may have more that you would like to discuss. Most schools have many different methods of communication, so get in touch with the teacher and they will be happy to arrange a time and method of communicating. Because of Covid, this may be a conversation in the playground, a socially distanced meeting, a phone call or a video session. Don’t be upset if they don’t get back to you straight away – there are many other children and parents in the class and schools are very busy places, so please bear with them. The teachers are there to support you and your child and they will usually be more than happy to help.
by David Quinney | Aug 31, 2022 | News
Secondary school gives your child the platform to gain confidence, improve skills, and enjoy life with new friends, the transition into secondary school can however be a daunting prospect. Take a look at our top ten tips for transitioning into secondary school.
- Visit the School Website
There’s lots of information for your child on the school’s website which could help to address many of their concerns about starting secondary school.
For example, they might find:
- A virtual tour of the school led by both teachers and pupils
- A dedicated email for you to write to the school if you’ve got any questions
- Information about timings for the first day back (often year 7 will come in earlier than other year groups).
- Go Through What Happens on the First Day
Your child may be thinking about the logistics of starting their first day at secondary school. You can help by talking through what’s likely to happen.
Their first day could include:
- An extended form-time to make sure that your child is settled and understands how to read their timetable, and they know where their lessons are.
- An earlier lunch.
- A slightly earlier finish.
Your child may have lessons as normal on the first day, or they may have some lessons where teachers take the opportunity to go through school rules and expectations with them.
- Focus on the Positives
If your child is anxious about starting secondary school, try to stay cheerful and realistic. Yes, the corridors will be crowded, but it’s also going to be exciting, such as meeting new teachers and learning new subjects. Try to avoid telling your child about so-called ‘bad’ teachers. That could be hearsay or rumours that are circulating on social media, as this could prey on your child’s mind. Your child might also be worried about meeting their new peers, talk this through and encourage your child to be themselves, and remind them that everyone is in the same boat, tell stories about your first day at Secondary School
- Get School Equipment Ready
One of the major changes of starting secondary school is the amount of equipment your child has to carry around with them. Their rucksack will seem to get larger by the day! It’s good to make sure that your child has all their basic classroom equipment ready in time, i.e. pencil case, pens, ruler, calculator and PE kit. At some point, they’ll also need cooking ingredients or art materials.
- Make Sure the Uniform is Good to Go
Hopefully, your child’s new uniform is ordered and ready. Although you may be hanging on for shoes as late as possible in case your child’s feet grow again, your town’s supply of school shoes may suddenly dry up in the last week of the holidays – so it’s an idea to buy footwear with plenty of time to spare.
- Label Clothes and Equipment
You could also label clothes and items such as lunchboxes and water bottles.
- Check the School’s Mobile Phone Policy
You could have a quick read-through on the website so that your child is clear about the do’s and don’ts of the school’s rules on mobile phones, as they differ greatly from school to school. For example, some schools have zones where phones are allowed during break times, whereas other schools might have a zero-tolerance policy.
- Pass on any Relevant Information About Your Child
If your child has SEN then you may wish to confirm that the school has all the necessary information about your child, speak to the SENCO. This will help to set your child’s mind at rest, too.
- Make Arrangements for the School Journey
Has your child made arrangements to walk up, or catch the bus, with a group of friends? They might prefer to do this, as opposed to you taking them up in the car. Plus, it will help them be more independent.
- Have a Good ‘Day Before’
The day before school, how about having a pleasant family day with some enjoyable and familiar activities? Some exercise could help your child to have a good night’s sleep, which means they’ll cope better with any concerns the next day – swimming, running or a walk in the park would be great. It’s a good idea to have a reasonably early night ready for the big day. Pack your child plenty to eat for the next day – it could be a very late lunch compared to what they’re used to at primary school.
by David Quinney | Aug 23, 2022 | News
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.
