Secondary School transition what you need to know
The secondary transition can be tricky for a number of reasons, but a key factor is the way subjects are taught in KS3 and KS4.
(1) Know the syllabus. Pupils in years 7, 8 and 9 are in KS3. And pupils in years 10 and 11, are in KS4.
(2) KS3/4 subjects are taught by subject specialists, which means every lesson has a different teacher, with different expectations and methods. As a new year 7 student, this can be disconcerting and hard to handle but knowing what to expect can help pupils work through the transition.
(3) Students need to know their timetable. Moving from class to class is a huge change in secondary school, which is why knowing the timetable is key to arriving in lessons on time and being prepared for each subject. Watch out for rotating timetables and timetable changes.
(4) Subject depth. The primary years provide students with the chance to gain general knowledge and build skills. These include basic math abilities, literacy - reading and writing -- and some specialized subject matter such as science. As a secondary school student, your child will go deeper into subject areas and learn more advanced techniques and theories.
(5) Push independent work. Be prepared for more independent work and less hand-holding for your child. This means it's up to pupils to remember what they have been told and when assignments are due.
(6) Encourage your child to have an informed opinion. This is a big difference from KS2 and one that takes getting used to. Pupils will be asked to express an opinion in work and class.
(7) Let your child be responsible for their homework. Again this is a major difference to primary, where you may have had limited or no homework. Secondary education is backed up with independent learning at home, often set daily with various deadlines. Be sure to manage your deadlines effectively and look in advance at all homework set.
(8) Get children to embrace new subjects. The move to the KS4 national curriculum brings with it more subjects to study, many of which are practical like Design and Technology, food tech, art and dance and drama. Alongside these, you will also learn a language, humanities (history and geography) and the core subjects - Maths, English, and Science.
(9) How they will you be assessed: Secondary school is split into KS3 and KS4. The assessment takes the form of general school exams at the end of KS3 and national GCSEs at the end of KS4.
(10) Ask for help if you feel out of your depth. We all want to help our children but sometimes the curriculum moves beyond our own knowledge or the way we were taught. If in doubt approach the school or a subject tutor.