What is the biggest change from Year 6 to Year 7?
▾
The jump in independence. In primary, one teacher knows your child inside out and manages everything from lost jumpers to reading books. In secondary, your child moves between up to ten teachers a week, remembers their own equipment, navigates corridors and manages homework deadlines themselves. Most children adapt within a half term, but the first few weeks can feel overwhelming. Supportive routines at home make a big difference during that settling-in period.
How do I help my child make new friends at secondary school?
▾
Encourage them to join one or two clubs in the first half term, as shared interests make friendships much easier than trying to chat at break. Remind them that everyone is nervous and that strong friendships often form by October half term, not week one. Avoid pushing them to stay close to primary school friends if they are drifting apart, which is normal. Keep conversations open at home without interrogating them every evening.
How much homework should I expect in Year 7?
▾
Most UK secondary schools set 45 to 90 minutes of homework a night in Year 7, spread across subjects and usually tracked through an online platform such as Satchel or Google Classroom. Expect a mix of written tasks, reading, spellings and online quizzes. Help your child build a simple routine of checking the planner after school and doing homework at the same time each day. A quiet space and a parent nearby, rather than hovering, works best.
What equipment does my child really need for Year 7?
▾
A sturdy backpack, pencil case with black pens, pencils, rubber, ruler, highlighters, glue stick and a basic scientific calculator such as the Casio FX-83. Add a reading book, PE kit on PE days, a refillable water bottle and a planner if the school provides one. Avoid buying expensive stationery that will get lost in the first term. Label everything, including the blazer, as lost property in secondary schools is vast and rarely recovered.
My child is anxious about starting secondary school. How can I help?
▾
Acknowledge the worries without dismissing them, then break them into practical problems you can solve together. Walk or bus the route during summer so it feels familiar, practise reading a timetable, and role-play asking a teacher for help. Most schools offer transition days in July and a gentle first week. If anxiety continues beyond October, contact the form tutor or head of year early, as secondary schools have strong pastoral teams who would much rather know.