Helping your child succeed in secondary school

What can parents do to make the transition to secondary school as positive as possible?

Homework

One big change is the homework your child will get. It will be regular and should be sufficient (expect about an hour each evening). Make sure you know the school homework timetable. One of the most important reasons for completing homework is for your child to develop good study habits and time management. So, support your child to complete the homework in the time given. If your child is being set too little or too much then speak up. Most of it will not be marked by the teacher and that does not matter.

You are crucial in encouraging your child to do their best. Try to ask questions about homework and give specific praise. Motivation is key. Begin to talk about your child’s ambitions for the future and the importance of developing good study habits.

Get the basics in place

Don’t forget the basics with home study:

• Make sure your child has a quiet, well-lit space to work
• Help them to get their books and folders organised
• If they like stationery, incentivise them with some colourful post-it’s, new markers, etc
• Try to schedule homework for the same time every evening
• Most schools now set homework via an app or online learning platform. Look at this with your child every week so you know what is coming up

Help your child foster good study habits

Time is precious and you can make a big impact with some focussed input.

• Check in with your child at regular intervals. They might say that they do not like this, but do not be put off. It gets harder as they get older, so set up the habit early
• Ask them what subject the homework is in, what the task is and how long it is going to take them. Then plan the time with them
• Ask your child to tell you anything new that they have learned
• Make sure they work in no more than 30-minute blocks and take short breaks in between
• Talk to your child about strategies to maintain focus so they do not drift off while studying

Help them manage their stress

Getting these good habits in place will reduce any pressure your child is feeling.

• Recognise that they are likely to feel tired (and maybe a little stressed) during the first few weeks of term. There are a lot of new things to take in!
• These feelings should settle down by the end of September. If they don’t, try to find out why and speak to your child’s form tutor if you need to

Be involved with school

You will have less contact with school as a secondary parent, but transition should not mean that you lose contact with school entirely.

• Take advantage of parents’ evenings and other school events to join in
• If you have questions or concerns then raise them, first with the form tutor and then with the head of year if necessary
• Secondary school PTAs do exist and they are usually very keen to have new members – you will probably make a real difference!
• Remember that secondary schools also have parent governors, if this interests you

Secondary school comes with new routines, new expectations and a lot of growing up in a short space of time, but with steady support, good habits and an open line of communication, your child can absolutely thrive. Keep checking in, stay involved where you can and don’t be afraid to reach out to the school when something doesn’t feel right. You’re a key part of their journey, and the small things you do now will make a big difference in their secondary school journey.