Starting a new school year

Starting a new school year or moving schools can be both an exciting and an anxious time for children. Children face new experiences and opportunities and may need extra support. Parents, carers and family members can help children to prepare for changes and settle in more quickly.

By knowing as much as you can about the school's arrangements, you can help your child to move on smoothly to the next stage in their education.

Before the new school year, schools try to make sure you and your child have the right information. They often send out useful details in newsletters or invite parents to meet their child's new teacher and find out more about the school.

You should get information on practical matters timetables, transport and after-school activites. The school should also let you know what your child will be learning, how you can help with their learning and what arrangements the school has for extra support.

What parents can do

To help your child settle in at school, you can:

• Talk to your child about the changes they are facing.
  ask if there is anything they are unsure or worried about
• Do a trial run of the journey to school if it is different or further than before.
• Help your child prepare by getting everything ready the night before.
  uniform, school bag, money etc; encourage them to take responsibility and organise themself
• Keep a copy of the timetable where it can be easily seen
  this will remind them about days where certain books, or PE kit are needed 
• Take an interest in what they are learning and help them.
  (see Help with homework) If the school uses a home-school diary or homework diary make a point of looking at it to see what they are, or should be, doing 
• Take an interest in new friends they are making. 
• Encourage them to take part in after-school clubs and activities
  they can help your child learn new things in a fun way and increase motivation to learn
• Make a note of key school events on a wall planner.
  for example pantomimes, parent's evenings, school sport days.    

Find out more:

• Attend induction events or introductory sessions.
  They are designed to let you meet teachers and see the environment your child will be learning in. If you cannot attend an event, contact the school and ask if you can go along at another time.
• Go prepared with a set of questions.
  covering all the things you and your child want to know about
• Keep in touch with the school.
  (see Communicating with your child's school) and let them know any important information about your child
• Read information provided by the school, which may include:
  • information leaflets and newsletters
  • handbook or prospectus
  • information on the school website
  • information afternoons and evenings  
  • induction events
  • parent's evening, to provide feedback and opportunity for discussion.

If you do not receive documents or information about these kinds of events, contact the school office and ask.

Work with the school

• Let the school know how they should contact you, especially in an emergency. 
• Inform them of any details about your child such as medical conditions and hobbies/interests that you believe are important.
• Ask about opportunities to assist in the school.
• Find out if there is a group of parents already supporting the school that you can become involved with.
• Think about whether there are any practical skills you can offer.