Malton Community Primary School

For pupils and parents.

By Mandy Carpenter

“When life changes to be harder -

change yourself to be stronger!” Edwin Mamerto

FOREWORD

I compiled this book through taking part in Action Research into transition this

involved:

• Working with groups of Year 6 pupils.

• Questionnaires sent out to parents and pupils and collating their

responses.

• Gathering lots of research into how pupils can benefit from a successful

transition process.

• Speaking to secondary schools about they approach transition.

• Attending a taster day with the year 6 pupils at one of the secondary

schools.

• Looking at how Malton Community Primary School can help parents help

their children.

All the above was under the guidance and support of the Head teacher.

Transition is a passion of mine and I know that it impacts massively on pupils,

and if I can make it easier for pupils, I have fulfilled my goal.

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CONTENTS

PAGE 1 Foreword

PAGE 2 Contents

PAGE 3 Getting lost

PAGE 4, 5, 6 Making friends at secondary school

PAGE 6, 7 Being bullied

PAGE 7, 8 How to avoid getting detentions

PAGE 8, 9 Being late for school

PAGE 9, 10 Uniform matters

PAGE 10, 11 Organising books and equipment

PAGE 11, 12 Homework

PAGE 13 Finding classwork too difficult

PAGE 13, 14 Help with exams and tests

PAGE 14 Having property and money stolen

PAGE 15 Changing for PE

PAGE 15 Lunchtimes – coping in the canteen

PAGE 15, 16 Take attendance seriously

PAGE 16 Preparing for first day

PAGE 16 Some questions that have been asked by Year 6 pupils

PAGE 17 Website information

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Moving up secondary school

Transition to secondary school can conjure up all sorts of emotions and feelings, even in

children who are not usually fazed by anything. Being nervous is natural and understandable

we all go through feeling nervous from time to time but it’s how we deal with it that is

important.

Tips to help you with your concerns:

1. Getting lost:

Key tasks for pupils:

• Knowing what lessons take place on a particular day.

• Knowing where the classroom is for each lesson.

• Knowing who the teacher is.

• Understanding the timetable.

• Getting to lessons on time – especially after break.

Tips for parents:

• Following your visit to school, talk about how it is laid out/organised.

• Reassure your child that they will quickly get to know their way around (most have

mastered it within a couple of weeks), and that they move around as a group to start

with. Teachers are very understanding about children getting lost to begin with and

usually help is at hand when needed.

• Your child will be given a plan of the school. Talk about getting from one place to

another.

When you start at secondary school:

• Have a copy of your timetable at home so you can refer to it.

• Learn what lessons you have on which days so you can become independent.

• Wear a watch.

• If you get lost in school try to find a teacher or a member of staff who will help you.

• Organise your books and equipment.

• Have a system for keeping your books and equipment.

• Knowing what lessons, you will have on a particular day

• Knowing what equipment is needed for each lesson (ruler, compass, calculator for

Maths).

• Use your planner to write important notes, messages and homework. Refer to your

planner as a reminder.

• Pack your bag with everything the night before because you may forget something if

you rush in the morning.

• If you are late to school on a morning you need to sign in at reception.

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2. How to make friends at a new school:

Starting a new school can be difficult. Everything seems weird, and you don’t know where to

go for your classes. So, making friends can be hard too!

Finding your confidence:

Take a deep breath. You shouldn’t be nervous – you are going to a new school, not to a

torture chamber. Remember that in your new school you will find children your age. You are

going to meet people who like you there.

Be yourself. Never change you are to try to fit in. if your friends don’t accept you for you,

they are not really friends.

Be hygienic. No ones like a whiff of body odour or bad breath. Shower daily, wear

deodorant, brush your teeth, and wash your hair. Designer clothes are not necessary, but

look neat, whatever you wear.

Having a positive approach:

Be kind to the people you meet at your new school. Make sure to be nice to people of all

cultures and backgrounds. If you think you will say something that will make them feel sad,

do not say anything and just nod your head if they talk to you. Also, remember to be as kind

and as helpful as possible.

Be inviting. A smile goes a long way. Make sure you make eye contact with other people. If

you see someone you know, give a smile or say hi. Give compliments; ask them how long

they have been coming to this school? They may then feel that they want to get to know

you better.

Make the first move. Anywhere, in the toilet block, near your locker, or at the water

fountain, you can find someone that has things in common with you, all you need to know is

how to approach them. Strike up a conversation, smile and compliment them, and, of

course, introduce yourself and tell them where you came from! You never know where you

can find a nice friend.

Remember people’s names. You like it when people use your name, and other people do,

too. Moreover, people can get annoyed if you don’t remember their name. Ask them gently

if they have a nickname. You will be surprised where this can come in handy.

Do something nice for someone. Save someone a seat. Say ’hi’ in the hall. Give

congratulations for a job well done. Pay them a compliment: ‘I love your shoes/backpack’ it

can make wonders.

Getting involved:

Join after school clubs you like. There are number of clubs you can take part in like sports

clubs, homework club. Even if you don’t know someone there you will share common

interests. You will get to meet new friends and will experience different personalities from

yours but with the same Interest.

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Look for other people who are new to the school. You’re probably not the only one and at

the very least, you’ll have one thing in common, you’re both in an unfamiliar environment.

The good news is, if you are starting at a new school at start of the year, almost everyone

there is new! Since being new is something that you all have in common, making new

friends shouldn’t be that hard, talk about your old school, your new school, your opinions,

teachers etc.

Don’t sit at the back of the class where other people don’t notice you. Try to sit in the

middle where you are around people and can make conversation.

Detecting the cliques:

There will be people to avoid for a while: Don’t be mean to them and don’t completely

avoid them, because who knows, they may be really nice people! You may have heard

others talking about them and made your mind up on their opinions but just take your time

to get to know the real person. Also stay away from the types that are in gangs and do

criminal activities. You need to be yourself. Be strong, and don’t try to please everyone

around you if it doesn’t please you.

Enjoying your new friendships:

Finally, meet up with your new friends outside of school once you get to know them. This

is an important step in making true friends who you can rely on. Just be yourself and don’t

let anyone change that.

Tips:

• Try to find common interests with the person you would like to be friends with.

• If you are naturally shy, try to seem open to others by keeping your head high and

smiling. Don't stare at the floor when walking, look at the people around you. Greet

others. Push your boundaries everyday.

• Be approachable. Don't be afraid to start conversations with people you have sat

next to in your classes.

• Talk to a lot of different people so you get to know a mix of people from different

groups and backgrounds.

• Don't be judgemental or rude to others, even if they are rude to you.

• Don't push into a group, gradually introduce yourself. Hopefully they will let you in.

• Quality over quantity. Don't automatically assume that the more friends you’ll have,

the happier you’ll be. A few close friends can lead to richer relationships than a large

but impersonal group.

• Don't draw too much attention to yourself. It may backfire – you might embarrass

yourself.

• Don't worry if you don’t make friends on the first day! You still have ten months to

make friends – besides, it’s better to take a bit of time to choose your friends.

• Don't get too cliquey with one person! Be friends with everyone until you get to

know everyone a little bit better and then you can decide which to keep close.

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Warnings:

• When you get a friend don’t boss them around, because they would not like

someone else telling them what to do.

• Don't show off a lot, because many people don’t like boasters. Be a normal kid, and

when you get a friend you can talk about your interests! If you happen to be an

intelligent person who naturally participates in class, don’t hinder yourself merely for

the sake of the others. Likewise, if you have talents in other areas, such as music or

physical activities, by no means should you hold yourself back.

• Don't try too hard. This really falls under the category of changing yourself in order

to seem more attractive to others. Don't fake interests, or cling onto you want to be

friends with. Be natural and friendly, but don’t overdo it.

• When you get a friend, don’t monopolise the conversation. If it is obvious that they

would like to steer clear of a certain topic, then respect that!

• Keep your family and old friends close. Maybe even try to make some friends out of

school so that you have someone to talk to.

• Be careful, you don’t want to make someone mad by going up and talking to them. If

it looks like they are in a bad mood, it’d be a good idea to stay away! Even if you are

the caring type that tries to help those in distress, people don’t usually like perfect

strangers asking them personal questions.

3. Being bullied:

Teasing – most children have been teased by a sibling or a friend at some point. And it’s not

usually harmful when done in a playful, friendly and natural way and both of them find it

funny. But when teasing becomes hurtful, unkind and constant, it crosses the line into

bullying and needs to stop.

Here are some other strategies for children to use:

• Avoid the bully and use the buddy system - use a different toilet block if the bully is

near and don’t go to your locker when nobody is around. Make sure you have

someone with you so you‘re not alone with the bully. Buddy up with a friend on the

bus, in the corridors or at break – wherever the bully is. Offer to do same for a

friend.

• Hold the anger - it’s natural to get upset by the bully, but that’s what bullies thrive

on. It takes a lot of practice, but it’s a useful skill for keeping off a bully’s radar.

Sometimes pupils find it useful to practice ‘cool down’ strategies such as counting to

10, writing down their angry words, taking deep breaths, or walking away.

Sometimes the best thing to do is wear a ‘poker face’ until they are clear (smiling or

laughing may make the situation worse).

• Act brave - walk away and ignore the bully. Firmly and clearly tell the bully to STOP

and then walk away. Practice ways to ignore the bully, like showing them that you

don’t care. Eventually, the bully will probably get bored with trying to bother you.

• Tell an adult – teachers, teaching assistants, parents, MSAs can all help stop bullying.

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Tips that parents can use to help restore their child’s confidence:

Dealing with bullying can erode a child’s confidence. To help restore it, encourage your child

to spend time with friends who have a positive influence. Participation in clubs, sports or

other enjoyable activities builds strength and relationships.

Provide a listening ear about different situations, but encourage your child to also tell you

about the good parts of their day, and listen equally attentively. Make sure they know you

believe in them and that you’ll do what you can to address any bullying that occurs.

4. How to avoid getting detentions:

Detentions absolutely stink. A punishment, dirty looks, sneering and smirking faces... That’s

what a detention has in store for you. That’s why learning how to avoid getting a detention

is an important skill to learn.

Steps:

1. Think before you act. It seems hard to do, but it’s very much worth it. Do so before

you give a punch to that kid who beat you at football, before you cheat off that

smart kid in your class, and before you talk back to your teacher. Think, reflect and

judge, ‘Could this get me into trouble if I do this?’, ‘Could I get a detention?’, ‘Would

my teacher/parents approve of what I'm about to say?’. It will take some practice,

but soon enough, it’ll come naturally.

2. Avoid fights. This is hard for everyone, but it will save you many detentions. Don't

pick on anyone or say anything that could you get you into trouble for. Avoid

physical fighting at all costs.

• If you must stick up for a friend or you can’t just let someone insult you, stick to stuff

like. ‘Push off/go away,’ ‘You can’t talk,’ and ‘Oh, shut it.’ that stuff still sounds cool

and assertive, but it’s just mild enough to keep you out of trouble, rather than

physically attacking people.

3. Get on your teachers’ good side. If you and your teacher loathe each other, you’re

more likely to get a detention. Always obey and respect your teacher. Don't suck up

to your teacher, just make sure you listen in their classes, and aren’t too cheeky and

disruptive.

4. Don't be nasty to anyone else. It might seem like this has nothing to do with

detention, but you’ll find that if your nice to people, they’ll back you up and won’t

DOB you in. So have patience and be nice to everyone. A little something, it could

save you from a deadly detention.

5. Adhere to the school rules. This is a very important step. Reread your school’s rules

and regulations and abstain from vandalising, etc. By being lawful, you don’t have to

worry about receiving a detention.

6. Don't tittle-tattle on someone, attack that person or make him/her upset. If that

person tittle-tattles on you, calmly tell your teacher your side of the story.

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7. Don't take advantage. If another student does/say something that you know is

wrong, or think maybe possibly wrong, you might be in doubt as to whether it is

acceptable. Do not copy his/her behaviour. This applies even if he/she labelled by

school as a rightful person. Sometimes he or she may do bad things but copying him

or her could result in a detention.

Tips:

• Never, ever touch or write a note in class. If found, it’s incredibly embarrassing

because the teacher might read in it front of the whole class.

• Do not get on the teachers’ bad side. Try to become friends with him/her.

• Don't eat in class unless the teacher gives you the food or gives you permission to

eat. It'll get you in trouble.

• Try to be on time or early for class. Set your alarm clock at least half an hour before

school.

• It isn’t the end of the world if you get a detention, especially if you go to a very strict

school.

• Be on your best behaviour and don’t do anything wrong. For example, do not swear!

• Don't bully others just because they were mean to you. Just stand up for yourself

and/ or ask a trusted adult like a parent or teacher.

• If you get blamed for something another student did, speak to your parents about

this. They may be able to help.

• Don't write letters which threatens assault to people in school! Doing so will get you

in major trouble.

5. Being late for school:

Key tasks for pupils:

• Get everything ready the night before.

• Getting up on time.

• Getting washed, dressed and ready to walk out of the door with everything you

need.

• Leaving the house to get to get to the bus stop or school on time.

• Being in the right place at the right time at the end of school.

• Going straight home.

• Knowing what to do if you are delayed for any reason

Tips for parents:

Before your child starts:

• Time the journey to school or bus stop. A map is included on page 18 for planning

the route to school if walking.

• Be sure your child is clear what time they are expected to be home and what to do if

they are held up for any reason.

• Make sure they know/have their contact numbers.

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• Buy an alarm clock and make sure your child knows how it works. Do a test run

before their first day at school.

• Work out with your child what time they will need to get up to get school on time.

Work backwards from the time they need to be at school. Include all the things they

will need to do.

• Agree a routine for the mornings and after school. Will they shower/bath in the

morning or evening? Will they get their bag ready the night before or in the

morning?

• Who will make their packed lunch and when?

• Agree a bedtime for school days with your child that will ensure they get enough

sleep.

• Have a couple of practice runs – set your child the challenge of getting up at the

correct time and getting ready.

• Does anything need changing?

• When they start?

• If possible, be around for your child for the first few days/weeks and ‘supervise’.

Praise and encourage independence but be ready to offer a helping hand.

• Keep your side of the bargain - if you have arranged to leave dinner money out on

top of the fridge – make sure it is there!

• Go through the routine regularly with your child if necessary, provide a tick list to

help them.

• Insist on the routine being kept to – it will save you hours in the long run!

6. Uniform matters:

Key tasks for pupils:

• Know the school rules regarding uniform – including jewellery and makeup.

• Make sure everything is ready to put out the night before (including shoes and

underwear!)

• Make sure a full PE kit is taken to school on the days it is needed.

Tips for parents:

Before your child starts:

• Get your child to practice with their tie during the summer holidays.

• Check the uniform requirements including the rules regarding jewellery and makeup.

• Ring the school to check if you are entitled to financial support for school lunches

etc.

• Name everything, even shoes – you would not believe what children lose! A marker

pen is as good as labels.

• Have spare essentials at home if possible, it prevents any panic when things get

mislaid at 8.30 am (as they do).

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When they start:

• Encourage your child to hang up their uniform straight away after school.

• Decide on responsibilities – who irons the shirts, when/who puts them away?

• If your child is very disorganised check items one by one or give a check list at first.

• Encourage your child to put everything out (including shoes, socks or tights and

underwear) the night before (there’s much more time in the evening for finding out

you have odd socks).

• Have a system for making sure that clean and ready – the earlier children start to

take responsibility the better, but whoever does it, both parties need to know the

system.

• If you have a timetable displayed for your child colour the days when your child has

PE so they can see each day if they need their PE bag.

7. Organising books and equipment:

Tips for parents:

• Help your child to organise their living space at home so that they have a place for

everything to do with school. Try to make sure they have access to a desk, good

lighting and storage space for their school books.

• Equip them with the tools they will need at home (its best to keep two sets of

everything – one for school and one for home so that losing a pen at school does not

stop them doing their homework).

• A useful home tool kit consists of pencils, pens, rubber, sharpener, crayons, felt tip

pens, ruler, maths equipment (protractor, compass, set square and calculator),

Sellotape, glue stick, paper (lined and plain) and plastic wallets.

• A box file or stacking system is useful for pupils with organisational problems each

can be labelled with a subject and all workbooks and worksheets can be kept ready

to pull out and put in their school bag when required.

• A labelled A4 plastic or card folder to take to school for each subject is useful – pupils

are given a lot of worksheets which they are not used to organising. Folders can hold

all worksheets and books etc.

• An additional A4 plastic or card folder for finished homework is useful for children

with poor memories – they can check it each lesson to see if there is homework be

handed in.

When your child starts:

• Teach a routine for ‘emptying the bag’. The subject folders or books are replaced in

the system. Any subjects for which homework is required are placed in the

homework folder ready to be done.

• Do this with your child to begin with if necessary, then gradually let them take over.

Even when your child ‘has got it’ do ‘spot checks’ every so often.

• Encourage your child to glue any work sheet/odd bits of paper into their book if

possible, each night – otherwise the sheer volume of bits of paper becomes

impossible.

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• When homework is completed supervise the packing of the bag. This is best done

the night before.

• The displayed timetable can be used as a checklist for subject folders and

equipment. Write the equipment needed at the top of each day.

• Encourage your child to check their planner for any reminders/notes each night. It's

usually best double checking.

• If you know your child has Food Technology (cooking to you and me) on a certain

day, check at the beginning of the week if the need ingredients – searching through

the cupboards on the morning ten minutes before the bus leaves is not the to be

recommended!

8. Homework:

Key tasks for pupils:

• Writing down your homework timetable – what homework you get on which days.

• Understanding how your planner works – make sure you use the correct week to

record your homework.

• Writing down your homework in lessons (write down exactly what you have to do). If

none is set, write this down too.

• Record when it has to be done for.

• Asking if you are not sure what the task means and checking with your teacher if you

are not sure what book you will need.

• Make sure you bring home everything you need to complete your homework.

• When you get home, use your planner to remind you of what you have to do.

• Work by yourself to complete tasks, spending the correct amount of time, do your

best without someone standing over you.

• Asking for help if it is difficult, or you don’t understand something.

• Handing in your completed homework on the correct day.

• Try to do the homework on the night it is set – not the night before it is due in you

may have another 3 pieces to do. Plus, it will be fresh in your head.

Tips for parents:

Before your child starts:

• Agree a routine for homework with your child. Life can be a constant nag if you don’t

start this from the beginning. Homework becomes increasingly important part of the

curriculum as your child goes through school – what he or she starts off doing is

what they will do until they leave.

• A good time for homework is after a short break when your child returns from

school; get it out of the way early, leaving the rest of the evening free – who wants

to start with work at 7 pm?

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• Many children will say that listening to music helps them concentrate and do their

work. Agree whether this is allowed. Personally, I think that if your attention is on

your favourite song, it can’t also be on your homework (and more so the television!)

But the important thing is to make an agreement and stick to it.

• Be prepared to invest time at first – for example be available for a set time each day

to help with homework until the routine is established – it will be time well spent.

Using the ideas in the organising your books and equipment section will help

enormously. Make sure your child has a comfortable place to work (with as few

distractions as possible); provide a finished homework folder for your child to take to

school.

When your child starts:

• Stick to your agreed routine whenever possible.

• Try to ensure that homework is done on the night it is set to prevent ‘build up’.

• Spend time with your child in the first few weeks, establishing a routine.

• Encourage your child to unpack their bag in an organised way, placing their

homework to be done on their desk. Check their planner with them for what

homework needs to be done, and when it is to be done for. Check they have

everything they need to complete the task (ask them to tell you what they will need

to encourage independence).

• Recognise how hard it is to work unsupervised. Help your child to structure their

time – provide a clock or timer or agree the tasks that should be done in each half

hour period. Try to be available to do a progress check – have they completed the

task in the set time? (but otherwise leave them to it – don't establish a pattern of

always doing homework with them – it’s unstainable and they won’t learn to work

independently).

• Make sure your child always writes the date and title, and clearly labels it as

homework whether in their book or worksheet or on a computer printout.

• Point out the rewards of working in this way – homework doesn’t drag on all night

and it feels good to have completed the task.

• Don't let children struggle for longer than the recommended time.

• If children are stuck – either because they don’t understand the task they have

written down, or because they can’t do it, offer support but don’t do it for them.

• Encourage your child to check in the lesson if they haven’t understood what the task

means - it’s too late by the time they get home.

• Encourage them to write down exactly what the teachers says (not just finish stuff in

book). If you both cannot work out what needs to be done, try contacting a friend in

the same group. Or write a note to the teacher asking for clarification and explaining

the homework will be completed as soon as possible.

• If there is a problem with the level of work, it is important that the teacher knows

this. If the work is consistently too difficult or too easy also let teacher know.

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9. Finding classwork too difficult:

Tips for the child:

• In their planner there maybe coloured cards these are red, yellow/orange and green.

These are to show the teacher how the child feels about the work, so the child

doesn’t draw attention to themselves in front of their peers. See below;

Red - this is shown if they are struggling with the work.

Yellow/orange - this is shown if they need something clarifying.

Green – this is shown to show that they are fine with the work that has been set.

• Tell your teacher if you are finding something hard, don’t sit a struggle.

• Ask a friend if they can help you.

Tips for parents:

• Go through the cards in the planner explaining what they mean.

• If your child is constantly finding classwork too difficult speak to the teacher.

10. Help with tests and exams:

Helping children with their studies is extremely important, especially during exams.

Involvement of parents in studies increases the level of interest if children in their studies.

However, the involvement of parents in their studies should only be to help. Read on to find

tips for helping your child.

If your child is not paying attention to their studies, make sure you take the right steps to

motivate them to study well.

Remember, being aggressive will not work and it is not the right way to improve the studies

for your child as well. There are lots of distractions in a child’s life today. Reading habits are

rarely found in most children. So, here are some tips that will help your child’s studies and

he might start taking interest in their studies.

• Encourage regular and fixed study hours: studying regularly and at a fixed time

helps your child stay disciplined and stay away from the stress of studying for long

hours during exam time. Make sure they complete their homework and stay

prepared for class tests always.

• Home environment: a peaceful home environment is very important, and it helps

your child to study well and concentrate in his/her studies. Plan out a quiet time for

his/her studies and avoid making them to study in the kitchen or the dining room

just so you can keep an eye on them.

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• Do not help your child too much: helping your child is good but if you solve all their

maths problems or find meanings to the words, they will not be able to become

independent. Let them try and explain the concept and method, but do not solve the

maths problems. Let them use a dictionary and find the meanings and let them make

sentences with those words to understand them in a better way.

• Teach him to stay disciplined: make sure there is a fixed time to study and a fixed

time to watch TV as well. You will have to be strict and if there is a favourite

programme they want watch, let them compromise with their games but not their

studies.

• Know the boundaries of your child: you should know the limitations and capabilities

of your child. Everyone has a maximum level up to which they can work or cope with

studies. Make sure you find out and this will help them study well and succeed.

• Never force them to study: though it is good to have a fixed time to study, it is

possible that some days your child may not be in the mood to study. Do not force

them. Just watch that this trend doesn’t become frequent.

• Learning is important: encourage and build in your child the value of learning and

how important it is. Do not feed any negative aspect of learning. Rather, explain how

learning will help them in life and for years to come.

Follow these tips and you will find positive changes in your child’s attitude. Let them feel

that studying is their job and you should take genuine interest in their work. Keep in mind

that it is the focus and the approach that matters in the end. If your child is unable to get

grades of your choice, do not react. Try to motivate them by making them realise their

potential.

11. Having property and money stolen:

All children moving up to secondary school worry about this happening, but this very rarely

happens. If it does happen follow these:

• Name all equipment and uniform.

• Remind your child to never leave their bag and belongings unattended.

• Mobile phones tell them to keep these in the inside pockets of their blazer.

• If they do have anything taken a teacher must be told as soon as they know its

missing.

• Find out if the item is insured.

• If the item is valuable ring the Police as soon as you as you can, insurance company

will need a crime number.

Most schools nowadays have a machine where they use thumb print ID, which goes directly

onto the child’s parent pay account so they can add money onto it as soon as they get to

school. This is so that money is not in the school so should stop anyone trying to take money

from a child. If someone does get your child’s money tell them to report it straight away to a

teacher.

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12. Changing for PE:

• Try to sit down when changing as this provides you with a more stable base.

• Keep to the same routine (order of clothes) for changing each time.

• If your shoelaces become loose, at the first knot, loop the lace around twice. Pull it

tight and then let it go without it becoming loose.

• When buttoning a shirt, start at the bottom edge so that you get the correct button

in the correct hole.

• To save time, keep some buttons done up, so you put on and take off the shirt

without undoing them all.

• Make sure you have all the kit with you that you need.

13. Lunchtimes – coping in the canteen:

Some children may find it harder to understand instructions, such as break and lunch times,

especially in secondary school where they may have to make decisions about who to talk to,

what food to choose etc.

If the child is anxious you may want to talk to them about this time and strategies.

Queuing for meals in a canteen – watch the person in front and see what they are doing i.e.

taking a tray, pouring a drink, ordering the food.

Deciding what to eat and drink – see if you can get a set of menus from the school and talk

through the choices and costs with the child so they are prepared.

Give some child some change or the correct money if it is cash till.

Where to sit - sitting next to the wrong person may cause all sorts of problems. Discuss with

them about sitting near someone they know and getting in a conversation with them. If they

say to you ‘this seat is taken’ say ‘sorry’ and move to another one.

Check out what happens at the end of dinner time, whether plates are put on a rack or left

on the table.

14. Take attendance seriously:

Sick children should stay home from school if they have a fever, are nauseated, vomiting, or

have diarrhoea. Children who lose their appetite, are clingy or lethargic, complain of pain, or

who just don’t seem themselves should also take a sick day.

Otherwise, it’s important that children arrive at school on time every day, because having to

catch with class work and homework can be stressful and interfere with learning.

If your child is missing a lot of school due to illness, make sur to check with the teacher

about any work that needs to be completed. It’s a good idea to know the school’s

attendance policy.

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Sometimes students want to stay home from school because of problems with classmates,

assignments or grades, or even teachers. This can result in real symptoms, like headaches or

stomach aches. If you think there’s a problem at school, talk with your child – and then

perhaps meet with the teacher – to find out more about what’s causing the anxiety.

Also try to avoid late bedtimes, which can result in mardy and tired students. A consistent

sleep schedule can help.

15. Preparing for the first day:

• If you have to wear a tie at secondary school, practice during the summer holidays so

that when it comes to the first day, you can tie it and you aren’t getting stressed

before you set off.

• Get your equipment together. Get a list of required school equipment from the

school or the school’s website. Go shopping for your equipment and make sure they

are all ready to take to school.

• Get a good night’s sleep. Start off your first day with a good night’s sleep. being well

rested will help fend off any nervousness you may be feeling. Try to get at least 8 to

9 hours sleep if you are over 12, or 10 to 11 hours of sleep if you are between 7 and

11 years old.

• Eat a good breakfast. You might be too nervous to eat much, but it’s important that

you give your body some fuel to get through until lunchtime. Eat something with

protein, such as peanut butter, toast or eggs.

• Get your uniform ready. Lay out your uniform for the first day of school the night

before. Then you won’t be rushing around for a clean pair of pants or your other

shoe in the morning. It will help you start your day off calmly. Make sure your

uniform fits well. Wearing well-fitting clothes will help you feel better about starting

a new school.

• Leave early for school. Make sure you leave lots of time in the morning to get to

school. You don’t want to be rushing into your classroom after the bell rings. Arriving

early may give you a chance to chat a few other students and hopefully make new

friends.

• Talk with parents about your concerns. Your parents may have gone through

transitions and have attended new schools. Ask them about how they felt making

new friends.

Some questions that have been asked by year 6 students:

❖ How many friends can choose to be in your form/tutor group?

Two. You will be asked to choose them on your first day.

❖ I don’t want to be in the lower group!

Your SATS will be used to decide what group you are in. Just try your best and

don’t worry.

My biggest tip of all is ENJOY YOURSELF! 16

Website information

These websites can give you more information:

www.kidshealth

theguardian.com

www.wikihow.com

www.gettherightschool.co.uk

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