Transition to Secondary School
How to choose a secondary school
You’ll probably already have some ideas about our local secondary schools, through talking to parents at school. It is worth visiting the websites of the schools you are interested in and then undertaking a visit to them at an open day/evening.
Presently, at the end of Year 6, our children move on to East Leake Academy, Charnwood College, Iveshead School (Shepshed) or De Lisle College. Despite being located in Nottinghamshire, historically, the majority of our pupils choose to attend East Leake Academy as it has a direct bus. Our catchment school is currently Charnwood College in Loughborough, but as it lies within 3 miles, transport would not be provided. Iveshead School (Shepshed) are keen to take our children, and have this year made arrangements for travel to the school directly from Hathern. Although De Lisle Catholic College prioritorises children of the Catholic faith, this is not exclusive. This school has become increasingly popular with our parents in recent years. We do not fall within the catchment area for Limehurst Academy and only pupils with siblings already attending the academy stand a realistic chance of being admitted.
It’s important to include your child’s views about which secondary schools to apply to. Your child may be keen to continue school with current primary school friends and could be influenced by friends’ choices of secondary school.
Consider your child’s strengths and interests. Some secondary schools specialise in particular areas of the curriculum and this could help with your family’s decision.
Think about your child’s character and the character of the school in question: do the two ’match’, or are there aspects of the school that your child may find difficult? Talk to your child about what they would find challenging at a particular school, as well as what would appeal.
Find out about extra-curricular opportunities outside lessons as well as academic standards. Being involved in out-of-school clubs can make a huge difference to the enjoyment of secondary school as well as having benefits for learning. Look at the range of sports activities on offer too - these can differ widely from school to school.
Making the move
Moving from the top class of primary school, Year 6, to the bottom class of secondary, Year 7, is probably the biggest change your child will have ever known. Don’t underestimate the importance of this moment in your child’s life, even if most of their friends are going to the same school, and you have older children.
Because moving schools is such a change in their lives, your child will almost certainly be nervous. Take time to talk things through – or at least, let your child know that you realise they might be anxious and you’re willing to listen. Children often feel better about worries when they share them. For many children, secondary school represents a step towards autonomy and the whole process of growing up and leaving childhood behind. It can be overwhelming for children and parents alike. But there are things you can do to make things easier, and things you can think about now that will help your child adjust and settle in quickly.
• Build your child's confidence. Settling in well is all about self-esteem. Children with high self-esteem are less likely to be bullied, or to bully, or belong to gangs. They are more likely to gather a wide circle of friends. They can confidently say "no" to anything with which they don't feel comfortable. So tell them how great they are. When did you last pay them a compliment? They don't have to have done anything special to deserve one; a compliment on how well they look after a pet, or that they are kind or thoughtful, goes a long way. Do this daily and watch their confidence develop.
• Listen to their fears. Your child is possibly anxious and also afraid their concerns will appear trivial. For instance, if they become lost in the maze of corridors, what should they do? They could make their way to the school office – they should have a map – or find a pupil or teacher to direct them. What they shouldn't do is hide in the toilets until the lesson is over. Talk through the options with them. Do this for every concern they may have so that they know you take it seriously.
• Remind your child that being a good friend, especially to shy and quiet children, is one way to make friends. Be encouraging if they want to invite friends home and suggest it if they don't.
• Show that you feel positive about their school and "talk it up" even if it was not your first choice or you lost an admissions appeal. If you have high expectations, these will be sensed by your child.
• Have a trial run of the route, especially if they walk or cycle. If they miss a school bus home you need to talk through what they will do, especially if you are working and can't pick them up straight away.
• Get up earlier during the last week of the holidays so that early starts for school aren't a shock to the system.
• Stick to the uniform code. Your child will feel more comfortable from day one.
• Make sure they have emergency money and credit on their mobile phone – if it's allowed in school.
• Think about any changes you might need to make at home so they have the time, space and energy for homework. One parent who has three children shared her strategy: homework begins at a set time every day, after dinner, with all three children working simultaneously to avoid distractions. In the early days you should check their homework diary daily and if it looks empty, check with other parents or the school. Your child may simply forget to write it down.
• Encourage them to join lunchtime or after-school clubs. They are a great way to make friends. If after half a term they really don't enjoy it, they can drop it.
• Give your child a few weeks to settle in. Ensure you know who to contact for any situation, and the school's preferred means of contact.
The school is as keen as you are to make sure the early days go smoothly. If you have any worries ask if you can talk to your child’s form tutor or head of year. However small a problem seems, it’s worth approaching the school for support if you or your child have concerns.
You’ll probably already have some ideas about our local secondary schools, through talking to parents at school. It is worth visiting the websites of the schools you are interested in and then undertaking a visit to them at an open day/evening.
Presently, at the end of Year 6, our children move on to East Leake Academy, Charnwood College, Iveshead School (Shepshed) or De Lisle College. Despite being located in Nottinghamshire, historically, the majority of our pupils choose to attend East Leake Academy as it has a direct bus. Our catchment school is currently Charnwood College in Loughborough, but as it lies within 3 miles, transport would not be provided. Iveshead School (Shepshed) are keen to take our children, and have this year made arrangements for travel to the school directly from Hathern. Although De Lisle Catholic College prioritorises children of the Catholic faith, this is not exclusive. This school has become increasingly popular with our parents in recent years. We do not fall within the catchment area for Limehurst Academy and only pupils with siblings already attending the academy stand a realistic chance of being admitted.
It’s important to include your child’s views about which secondary schools to apply to. Your child may be keen to continue school with current primary school friends and could be influenced by friends’ choices of secondary school.
Consider your child’s strengths and interests. Some secondary schools specialise in particular areas of the curriculum and this could help with your family’s decision.
Think about your child’s character and the character of the school in question: do the two ’match’, or are there aspects of the school that your child may find difficult? Talk to your child about what they would find challenging at a particular school, as well as what would appeal.
Find out about extra-curricular opportunities outside lessons as well as academic standards. Being involved in out-of-school clubs can make a huge difference to the enjoyment of secondary school as well as having benefits for learning. Look at the range of sports activities on offer too - these can differ widely from school to school.
Making the move
Moving from the top class of primary school, Year 6, to the bottom class of secondary, Year 7, is probably the biggest change your child will have ever known. Don’t underestimate the importance of this moment in your child’s life, even if most of their friends are going to the same school, and you have older children.
Because moving schools is such a change in their lives, your child will almost certainly be nervous. Take time to talk things through – or at least, let your child know that you realise they might be anxious and you’re willing to listen. Children often feel better about worries when they share them. For many children, secondary school represents a step towards autonomy and the whole process of growing up and leaving childhood behind. It can be overwhelming for children and parents alike. But there are things you can do to make things easier, and things you can think about now that will help your child adjust and settle in quickly.
• Build your child's confidence. Settling in well is all about self-esteem. Children with high self-esteem are less likely to be bullied, or to bully, or belong to gangs. They are more likely to gather a wide circle of friends. They can confidently say "no" to anything with which they don't feel comfortable. So tell them how great they are. When did you last pay them a compliment? They don't have to have done anything special to deserve one; a compliment on how well they look after a pet, or that they are kind or thoughtful, goes a long way. Do this daily and watch their confidence develop.
• Listen to their fears. Your child is possibly anxious and also afraid their concerns will appear trivial. For instance, if they become lost in the maze of corridors, what should they do? They could make their way to the school office – they should have a map – or find a pupil or teacher to direct them. What they shouldn't do is hide in the toilets until the lesson is over. Talk through the options with them. Do this for every concern they may have so that they know you take it seriously.
• Remind your child that being a good friend, especially to shy and quiet children, is one way to make friends. Be encouraging if they want to invite friends home and suggest it if they don't.
• Show that you feel positive about their school and "talk it up" even if it was not your first choice or you lost an admissions appeal. If you have high expectations, these will be sensed by your child.
• Have a trial run of the route, especially if they walk or cycle. If they miss a school bus home you need to talk through what they will do, especially if you are working and can't pick them up straight away.
• Get up earlier during the last week of the holidays so that early starts for school aren't a shock to the system.
• Stick to the uniform code. Your child will feel more comfortable from day one.
• Make sure they have emergency money and credit on their mobile phone – if it's allowed in school.
• Think about any changes you might need to make at home so they have the time, space and energy for homework. One parent who has three children shared her strategy: homework begins at a set time every day, after dinner, with all three children working simultaneously to avoid distractions. In the early days you should check their homework diary daily and if it looks empty, check with other parents or the school. Your child may simply forget to write it down.
• Encourage them to join lunchtime or after-school clubs. They are a great way to make friends. If after half a term they really don't enjoy it, they can drop it.
• Give your child a few weeks to settle in. Ensure you know who to contact for any situation, and the school's preferred means of contact.
The school is as keen as you are to make sure the early days go smoothly. If you have any worries ask if you can talk to your child’s form tutor or head of year. However small a problem seems, it’s worth approaching the school for support if you or your child have concerns.
