Moving into Secondary – Transitioning from Primary to Secondary School is an important milestone for both pupils and parents.
At The Aquila School, we believe our pupils deserve an amazing learning experience. Our teachers are dedicated to supporting your child through this transitional phase of moving into Secondary and will always take extra care to ensure your child feels prepared and equipped for the year ahead.
We’ve put together this quick guide to help you support your child as they prepare moving into Secondary School this year.
How is Secondary School different from Primary School?
In Year 7, pupils will build upon the key skills they started to learn in Primary that will help them thrive in later life, such as independence, responsibility, and organisation.
We will also start to introduce a little more formal homework, so pupils become used to independent learning, in preparation for later exams.
Our teachers will help your child as they navigate their new responsibilities in Year 7. This could include: using timetables and moving more frequently around the school as they access specialist labs for science, art, technology, food and computing.
For pupils who were with us in year 6 there shouldn’t be too much new information, as we are very much one school. If you are moving from a Primary school to join us in Year 7, then there can be a lot of new information to absorb, and it can feel quite overwhelming at the start. Our goal is to work with you and your child to help them become organised, self-sufficient, and a ready learner.
How to best support your child
Strong parental support and gentle guidance are vital during this transition phase.
You might have already started making a few changes at home, but here are our top tips to help your child feel ready for their first days at Secondary School.
- Be prepared
As a parent, it’s best to get everything ready in advance, such as buying books, uniforms, and equipment. If you feel prepared and positive for what can be a nerve-wracking first day of term, so will they!
Once your child has started Secondary School, help them to stay prepared by encouraging them to pack their own school bag the night before with the right books, equipment, or homework.
- Plan a routine
Whilst at home, try to encourage your child to stick to a routine of regular mealtimes, study time, and relaxation time. You could even work together to create a visual timetable of your week’s activities.
Sticking to a routine will help your child become accustomed to using a timetable in school and encourage them to take ownership of their learning.
- Daily habits
As a child enters adolescence, it’s important to encourage healthy habits that positively impact their learning and last for life. Talk to your child about why we need to eat balanced meals, exercise regularly, and get a good night’s sleep.
We also highly recommend books before bed, rather than screens. Reading is a fantastic way to relax after a long day at school, whilst also boosting pupils’ reading and communication skills.
- Keep talking
Experts say the best thing a parent can do to support their child’s mental health is to start the conversations early. Talk with your child and listen. Agree there are lots of unknowns and change is inevitable, but they will always have their parents, and there are lots of adults who are there to help.
- Feeling safe in school
The wellbeing of our pupils will always be a priority. If you or your child are anxious at all, or if you’d like to arrange a visit to our school counsellor, nurse, or teachers, please do get in touch with us.
- Preparing yourself as a parent
It’s worth noting that lots of parents feel different emotions during this transition. Rest assured, at The Aquila School, we are committed to ensuring our pupils thrive, both in school and beyond.
We wish your child the best of luck on their first day and can’t wait to welcome them back for the new term.
Benjamin Atkins, Head of Secondary