Getting started
Starting secondary school with confidence
Prepare for secondary or post-primary school with practical advice on new routines, friendships, lessons, travel and getting the right support early.
Read the guideMoving to secondary school checklist
Help a young person prepare for new subjects, people and routines while keeping the move manageable. Use the same prompts for post-primary transfer or a local middle-to-upper-school move.
Before the move
Travel and equipment
Learning and belonging
During the first few weeks
Your own questions
Avoid names or sensitive personal information. Notes are saved only if you choose to remember this checklist.
A little more guidance.
School life
Getting to school: journeys, independence and transport support
Plan a workable school journey, prepare children for travel and understand how to check transport eligibility and support in each UK nation.
Read the guideSchool life
Friendships and belonging at school
Help your child find their place at school, build friendships, manage ordinary disagreements and get support when exclusion or unkindness persists.
Read the guideLearning & curriculum
Homework and learning at home
Build a manageable homework routine, understand how much help to give and support reading, curiosity and independent learning without daily battles.
Read the guide