Transition Workshop

1. Transition Workshop

2. Aims: • To discuss the transition process over the next few months • To help you prepare for the change • To provide you with strategies and ideas to help your children make a successful start in secondary school • To provide a place where you can discuss any worries or concerns • We won’t be able to answer any school specific questions -- but there will be opportunities to ask the secondary school, soon!

3. Moving to secondary school is a big change! • For many families, children starting at secondary school will be one of the biggest changes they will encounter: • Parents become less involved in day-to-day • Children are given much more responsibility, and face higher expectations • They are growing up! Discuss with the people around you any worries that you have about moving to secondary school.

4. What school? • Croydon announces acceptance to schools on the Thursday 1st March • You should receive an offer in the evening of the 1st by email or text. • You need to respond with acceptance by 15th April. • What to do if you haven’t got the place you want? • Firstly – remember that there are lots of people in the same position as you. • Take a deep breath and reconsider the school you have been offered. What are the positives? • You should still accept the place offered as this is the best offer available to you. • Meanwhile, your child’s name will remain on the waiting list for any schools that you chose as higher preference. • If you receive an offer from a waiting list you can accept at any time (these offers can come as late as September) • Croydon can only accept refusal of a school place with written confirmation that you have secured another school place for your child. • You have the right to appeal for any of the schools you have applied for – you need to contact the school for more details. • Accepting the offer you get does not affect your right of appeal, or your child’s position on a waiting list. • While the school is important, it is not everything!! Supporting your children to make the most of their time, wherever they go, is key to achieving good results! Preparing for the news: Discuss the school choices that you have made. Think about the positives of each of the schools you listed.

5. What next? • Some of the first jobs are very admin related • Find out and read up on new school policies • Find out who the school contact points are • Find out about term dates and uniform guidelines • Find out what systems the school has in places for lunch, clubs, subjects like Art and PE, and stationery requirements • Your child will be invited on various induction days to visit the school again, to get assessed and to meet teachers and peers. We support that at Heavers Farm, but please notify the office before they attend induction days, so they don’t get marked as absent. This is important as it will allow you to prepare to support your child in the requirements they will face. Also, this helps to prepare finances in time to pay for things your child will need- like new equipment, uniform and lunches.

6. New Responsibilities • What are some of the new responsibilities that you will face at secondary school?

7. New Responsibilities Managing these responsibilities effectively can be a major challenge for new secondary school students. • Getting to and from school safely • Make a journey plan, and practice it a few times • Make a contingency plan, in case the trains are cancelled or buses diverted • Talk through a few ground rules: what time is the latest they should be home without contact? Which route should they go? • Talk safety: how when and where should they use their phone? What are good rules for staying safe when out and about? • Lunch time • Managing money to buy lunch can be tough! • Look at the canteen menu – discuss the options and how much you expect your child to be spending. • Homework • The amount of homework will vary by school, but will normally amount to between 1 and 2 hours a night. • Time management is critical! • Making the most of homework will help get the best out of high school – so set aside some time with no distractions to do it. • Moving between classrooms • Being on time to every lesson • Remembering equipment and books • Not getting lost! • Encourage your child to get a map, or to make the most of a buddy system that most secondary schools have.

8. Friendships and peers • New faces • There will be far fewer familiar faces at secondary school (to begin with) • Important to start off on the right foot! • Can get a head start by making the most of induction process – you will be invited to the school to meet your peers. Going to these days and making an effort to meet new people can really help ease social nerves. • Social Media • Managing social media effectively is a big challenge for today’s teens. • Be open about the pitfalls, but also acknowledge the benefits. • It is important to monitor online safety! • Older children • Children will go from being the oldest, to being the youngest in a new school. • Other students at the school may be almost 7 years older – a similar difference between reception and Y6! • Talk to children about • Bullying • Discuss with your child how they might manage any negative social interactions at high school. • Tips: Being able to say no, knowing you are not alone and having someone to talk to can really help!

9. Academically • Schools will make assessments to determine how students should be streamed. • Its really important that students are able to be streamed appropriately so that they can get the support that they need. • Mastering the primary school curriculum will give them the best possible start at secondary school. • Support homework by giving a quiet space and a set time to do it. Early on, check their homework diary daily… • Initially, students are often ‘eased in’ to secondary school, but the level of expectation then grows rapidly, so it is important to embed good habits early. • It is important to take an interest in children’s reports, and to offer praise for good results, and to discuss areas for improvement and how to make that improvement.

10. How to help? • Remember what it felt like! Listen to any concerns and take the time to talk them through. It can be a really daunting time. • Get into routines early! Set aside time for homework, and for discussing achievement. • Spend quality time taking an interest in school life, and encourage your child to talk • Learn about the school policies and routines, so that you can help your child stick to them. • Encourage your child to get fully involved in school – the more they put in, the more they will get out! • Reading: https://www.theguardian.com/education/2010/aug/31/secondary-school-tips-parents; https://www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/cms/sites/default/files/folders/documents/childreneducationandfamilies/educationandlearning/schools/atschool/absence/transitiontosecondaryschool.pd • http://www.madeformums.com/school-and-family/how-to-appeal-if-you-dont-get-the-school-you-want/10336.htmlf

11. Any questions?