Secondary School Induction day

[TheRealPerson]

What happens on these induction days? DS has one next week - am a bit nervous! Although I don't think he is lol

How do they get there? there are only 4 kids going to this school from his primary and he only gets on with one of them (who is going with his sister who is already at the school). The primary school is not taking them.

Do I take him? is he supposed to go on his own? the secondary school is massive ... I just can't imagine him wandering in those big doors alone.

[MissAnneElk]

It's just a chance to meet their form tutor and have a look round the school. Saves them worrying about it too much over the summer holidays. I'd say send him on his own if that's how he will get there in September.

Dd2 has hers soon. She will be going on the school bus. If you have any questions ask his primary school. I do sometimes think schools assume you will know what to do (because they do it every year). Good that you ds isn't worried about it - he'll be fine.

[Decorhate]

I think it can actually be a good chance to try out the route they will be taking in September - you could let them off on their own if that's feasible or accompany them if it is a bit tricky. Maybe he could arrange to meet his friend at the school gates?

[mumblechum]

I dropped ds off at the gate. His was the only blue jumper in a sea of red and green ones . In the afternoon, the mums came in for a talk in the hall then collected the children.

[LimaCharlie]

The (limited) info that I have for DS's induction day is to send him in primary school uniform, drop him at 8.30, pick him up at 3.00 and give him £5.00 for lunch / snacks and drinks.

He's fortunate that there are quite a big group going from his primary - it still won't stop me fretting though.

[mollymax]

My dd has got her induction tomorrow and wednesday. I am going to drop her off in the morning about a 5 minute walk away. She has arranged to meet a couple of friends.
They are expected to take new books with them and will actually work whilst they are there.

[roisin]

£5 for lunch?! That's a fortune!
At ds1's school a main meal is about £1.60.

Their school is a bus ride away, so dh will take ds2 on the bus tomorrow. They don't start until 9.30, so can't just follow the crowd from the bus stop to school.

At their school they get to meet their new form tutor and the others in their form, and spend some time together finding out about the school. They also have a couple of sample lessons. Lunchtime is very important - finding out how the canteen works and where they can go/what they can do at lunchtime. In the afternoon there is a meeting for parents/assembly led by the HT, which the students attend as well.

HTH

[gillybean2]

These tend to be different at different schools so you can't know without asking.

Just phone the admissions person at the school and ask what he needs to bring and what will happen. They're there to help you.

My ds went to one where he needed to bring a pencil case, trainers and lunch/money. He was put in his form group, met his teacher, had some lessons, lunch time, got an idea of where stuff was, asked questions etc. Was 9.30 -2pm

The other school (which he didn't go to) was only 2 hours and he didn't need to bring anything.

If the school is local and lots going there may be transport arranged, otherwise you will have to get him there and back himself.

[Milliways]

I always remember DD saying "The bell rang and 1000 people ran past!!"

She did go to a HUGE school (1600+)

They tend to do a fun science experiment, PE (but tell you if you need a kit) a language taster etc. All fun lessons and a good chance to start to make new friends.

Exciting times

[hopalongdagger]

I would take him but drop him close to the school, a little away from the gates so he can walk in on his own. There will probably be teachers or TAs on every gate directing them where to go.

When I worked as a TA the year 6s would have an extended 'meet the tutor/form' session first of all, possibly an assembly as well. A tour around the school so they can find toilets, canteen etc. And the rest of the time would be 'normal' lessons, possibly using their actual timetable for september.

Contact the new school if you have any questions (not the primary, as they won't have all the information for every secondary school).

[OneMoreMum]

DS had his last week, just him and a girl from his school in the 240 kids! He had to wear current uniform (although I did tone down the private school look and sent him in long trousers and minus the tank top) and take a drink, snacks and a pencil case. Lunch was free (they use a cashless system and couldn't adapt it for one day). Most mums walked them to the door where the teachers took charge.
Anyway he had a good time & made a new friend already, which since he's a really shy boy is good going. Has made us all a lot less anxious.
We have a parents information evening tonight so will see how that goes.

[roisin]

ds2 had his induction day today. It went well. Afterwards he talked about it for about an hour solidly! He lost his purse and his dinner money in the morning, so his form teacher lent him some money for lunch but someone picked up the wallet and handed it in. So it was returned....

by the HT in front of ALL the parents at the front of the assembly hall.

[ivykaty44]

I had a four page introduction and it was lovely a peace about the headmaster and his role in the school and as a father of three children, along wiht a lot of information about the school dya and what they will need.

fortunately my dd1's friend is at the same 6th form and will take my dd on the bus - it is dd1's friends last ever day at school..she is then of to exeter to uni. So she is being taken and brought home on the bus and dd's friend will mother her..she is nervous for the mronign as none of her school mates are going - no one has choosen the school

[TheHappyCamper]

Hi - I'm a secondary teacher. Please try not to be too nervous . We have our transfer days next week and it really is just like the above posters have described. (We try really really hard to look after the yr 6's and reassure them)

We do 3 days so yours might be condensed a bit, but basically:

form tutor/form time
get timetable
treasure hunt to find way round school
getting to know you games/circle time
selection of lessons eg. sci, maths, eng, geog, pe ICT

There is a parents evening where parents meet child's form tutor after the 2nd day.

HTH

[ivykaty44]

gosh three days.. in my area it is one day and then parents in the eve.

I am sure my dad will be fine - but she is sad to leave all her friends and worryed baout going back to school on thursday and all her friends talking about there new school.

[belledechocolatefluffybunny]

Ds had his last week (which we were late for , he spent a little time in the science lab, some time doing PE, maths (lunch), circle time and english. Then they had a music show which the parents were invited to so we could see what the school offered music wise. All the year 7s are returning a day early in September for a couple of hours so they can get to know each other.

[MmeRedWhiteandBlueberry]

We don't do induction days at our school, but I have taught in schools who had them.

It is common for the new intake to follow the Year 11 timetable of the day, since Year 11s are gone. It will be hit and miss as to which lessons they do, but most departments will put on a bit of a show.

When I did an Y7 induction as a Science teacher, I would get the bunsen burners out, as this would be something new to most primary school children. We'd only boil a beaker of water, taking the temperature every 20 seconds (boooooring), but the children would find it fascinating.

In the course of the day, the new pupils would meet their form tutor, have a Year Assembly, get experience of moving from class to class, meet several new teachers, and have a cafeteria lunch. They would share the trials and tribulations with their new classmates.

We don't do induction days at our school and I don't think pupils worry about it over the summer. We have an evening reception/information evening for parents where pupils do some ice-breaking games. Other than that, we have a half-day in September the day before school starts where they come to school in uniform and work together as a form. They all learn soon enough about senior school.

[AnnaSergeyevna]

MmRed thanks for that post - our school doesn't do a full day session and I starting to worry that it wouldn't be enough to help him start smoothly in sept.
Glad to know there are other, less full on, approaches that still result in happy settled year 7s.

[Greenshadow]

DS has his this week.

The admissions tutor from his new school came to visit him on Monday and talked about the induction day and about next year. He is the only one going from his primary school so this was very welcome.
She also gave him and information sheet with details about dropping off/collection and what they need to take/wear.

OP - I would imagine the school will be sending out some information to you at some point before the induction day - they can't expect people to know what to do/bring/wear otherwise.

[3plusbump]

That's good to know MmeRed

In my son's current year 6, most of the children are going to two comprehensives, one where they have an induction week and another where they have three days...

My son is one of only two children going to an out of catchment faith school where they only have one induction day, so that's good to know, thanks

[deaddei]

Ds has his next week- but is away on school residential trip.
Great forwward planning on behalf of primary school- they did it last year too!
Still he will be going for a couple of hours the week after.

[mumofthreesweeties]

I am really worried about this too... My son is a quiet shy boy and am really anxious that the other kids will pick up on this. I just hope he will be fine. He will be there all day next Friday, but on Monday we have a meeting with the Head, I really hope it goes well

[bruffin]

We have induction over 3 days as well.

Eveinging meeting with parents where children meet their form tutors. Next day is whole day induction, they usually do pe. Next is morning only for CAT tests.

[JohnPeelwasmyhero]

DD had hers this week - just one day.

Talks in the hall,
taster lessons,
free school lunch,
choice of afternoo activity - she chose sports.

They were put into groups, but not the forms they will be in. Different groups am and pm.

DD enjoyed it and is excited about September, though a bit nervous too - the thing she's most concerned about is that she makes nice new friends

[BarkisIsWilling]

Thanks for the information here. Very relevant for me as my daughter's induction day is next week.