Moving to secondary school marks a passage into adolescence and requires major adjustments in children:

from being the oldest to being the youngest

to finding their way around a large school

with different teachers for different subjects

carrying their bags from classroom to classroom

They have to remember:

books

the right kit for the right days

and are getting used to new and different homework arrangements

It is no wonder that Year 7 pupils often feel tired!

Travelling to 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.

How a child copes with these changes can very much depend on the kind of support that she or he receives - consider the following useful points:

Where possible, practise the journey with the 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 impress on your child the importance of keeping it in safe place

Make sure your child always has 'emergency money' (separate from any other money, eg lunch money etc) in case she or he forgets their pass, needs alternative transport or has to phone for help. You could also provide them with a phone card

Routine

Much distress can be avoided through helping your child establish a regular routine by:

checking the timetable together

packing the school bag the night before

getting enough sleep

getting up in time to have breakfast

Once your child has started school, make time to talk and listen to your child each day to check how things are going. Just giving attention in this way can help your child feel supported and more confident.

However, resist the temptation to ask too many questions, especially when a child first gets home from school and is likely to be tired, hungry and short-tempered from coping with many new people and things.

If your child is attending boarding school, make arrangements for him or her to be able to contact you or other members of the family on agreed days and times, providing him or her with a phone card.

Parentline Plus is a national charity that works for and with parents, offering help and support through an innovative range of free, flexible and responsive services - shaped by parents for parents. For more information visit Parentline Plus.