K3T1111 Transitions

Hi everyone just need a little help with the transitions for 7-12 yrs going to new schools what can help the move smoother for the child. Areas we can help support them to make the transition smoother, any ideas im not sure do they mean choosing schools, open nights having tasters sessions etc. Is it similar to the transitions for 3-7 moving from nursery to primary, any help would be much appreciated thanks mick.

[Brandy]

http://www.parentlineplus.org.uk
has a great leaflet moving on to secondary school (extract below)

Once your child has a place at a school, make sure you aren’t taking a holiday at the time of the taster days which most secondary schools arrange for the new intake.

Make sure you have the right uniform if applicable and if this is expensive contact the school or the local education authority about getting help with the cost.
Schools usually send out lists of items needed. Make it a shopping treat and choose the materials together.
Encourage your child to talk about feelings of nervousness and tell them that all children feel nervous when they first go to ‘big’ school.
Your child’s journey to school will probably take a new and unfamiliar route, possibly involving a longer walk, bike ride or public transport.
Find out whether the Local Education Authority (LEA) lays on buses for the journey especially if you live in a rural area.
Where possible, practise the journey with your child a few times beforehand.
Try to find at least one other neighbouring pupil who is going to the same school so that your child has a travelling companion.

If the Local Education Authority (LEA) provides transport costs, make sure to apply for a bus pass in good time and remind your child of the importance of keeping it in a safe place.

Make sure your child always has ‘emergency money’ (separate from lunch money etc) in case he or she forgets their pass or has to phone for help. You could also give them a phone card if you don’t want them to have a mobile.

Many parents tell us that once their child goes to secondary school, the friends they made at the primary school gate are not around so much. Parents say that they feel isolated and miss the sharing of ideas and problems with other parents. It is also difficult to get involved with a secondary school if you had a bad time when you were at school. But there are ways to keep in touch:
Find out more about the school’s meetings with parents and if there is a Parent Teacher association, make contact to find out what events they lay on.
Make a point of signing the home school agreement and use the opportunity to ask any questions you have about the new school.

Talk to your child’s class teacher about any problems you or your child might have.

If you and your partner are separated, tell the school and make sure that they include a non-resident partner in any mailing.
Remember, the school is there to help your child through this time of transition.

Hey Mick, would love to help a bit as I just did this question last night. Basicly what I wrote was this:

- The primary school the child is leaving will most likely take the year 6 children to their secondary school to see what it's like and show them some key parts of the school. Like the office, should they become lost;they could be given them maps (like I was when) to know where they are going.

- A book created by the previous new pupils, containing games, drawings, text and photographs, showing secondary school can be fun and making it seem less scary.

- Books, videos and media could help widen their knowlegde of what it will be like.

I hope this helps, Cat x

Thanks for the replies to my question, the link to that site is excellent it has all the info i need so once again thanks for the help it is much appreciated Mick.