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CHOOSING A SCHOOL & EDUCATION FOR ELEVEN TO FOURTEEN YEAR OLDS |
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CHOOSING A SCHOOL: Choosing a school is a very important decision and not one to be taken lightly. It is important to remember that although we want to select the best for our child/ren, each child should be involved in choosing the school. In 2007 our child will be moving to a secondary and we will put in place lessons learnt during this time with our eldest child. We have given some suggestions in section, what we can do to ensure a smooth transition. For some children leaving primary school to attend secondary school will be a smooth transition and for others it will not go as well as they might expect. It will be both a happy and a worrying transition for us all and it will be a new experience for some parents/carers as well as for children. Many will be anxious because they will be leaving friends behind and might think that they are the only child from the old school attending the new. By networking you might discover other children from the existing school will also be joining the new school. Having said this many children move from one school to another alone and the transition is fine. What can we do to ensure a smooth transition? A few suggestions: Research schools in advance. To ensure that you make a well informed choice, early planning and preparation is important. Search the National School Table, Ofsted report and information that that school has published to show the schools performance. Take the time to investigate and attend interviews at the school(s) that you and your child have an interest in. Location also comes into play. How far are we willing to let a child travel and are we able to reach a child/ren in an emergency/ill health in good time? The choice of school(s) was it yours, the child’s or a joint decision? Does the school cover the subjects that the child is interested in? Ensure that the child/ren is included in the process every step of the way. Apply to schools on time. If you are hoping for your child to attend a school out side of the borough, ensure that you contact the local authority responsible for the proposed school for the application details and forms. You will also need to contact private schools directly for their admissions criteria. Do not miss deadlines. Investigate submitting your application on-line. Please refer to the local authority link. What happens next? You will be informed that the child has been offered the school of their choice. If your child is not offered a place at the school of their choice, you can appeal against the decision. The letter that is sent to you advising you that you have not been offered the school of your choice, will also advise you on how to appeal. Promoting & encouraging learning Parents and carers need to ensue that homework is completed; we have found that it is good practise if homework is done on time. As well as the child we need to know the subjects they will be studying. Help to increase their learning by encouraging them to read different things i.e. magazines, newspapers. Read with your child/ren and listen to them read back to you. Get them to read to you seated and standing. I have encouraged our children to read to us standing up and we have found that this helps and strengthens their confidence and posture when reading to a class or in assembly. It could be that they are asked to represent their school in this way. Encourage new activities, music, learning a musical instrument or more than one if the interest is there. Taking them to the theatre, galleries and our museums as this will broaden/open their minds to new ventures and possibilities. Let’s support our children at this critical stage. Sometimes we can be a silent adviser. Our children just need to know that we are there for them. We will find that as they grow up they will need us less and less. Because be have laid a firm support foundation for them, they know that they can come to us when they need us. Key stage 3 Between the age of 11 – 14 (years 7 – 9) our children will be studying for Key stage 3 of the National Curriculum. It is reported that the Key stage 3 compulsory National Curriculum subjects are: English, math, Science, Design & Technology, Information & Communication Technology (ICT), History, geography, Modern foreign languages, Art & Design, Music, citizenship, Physical education. Children will also receive the following: Careers education, Religious education & sex education. However is stated “schools are given guidance only on how these subjects should be taught. Once again we feel that it is important that we make reference to a previous statement that these subjects are compulsory and NOT optional. AFTER SCHOOL CLUBS/SURGERIES We would strongly recommend the use of these facilities and we would encourage children to attend them as we have seen the benefits and rewards that our child has received in attending. I myself have attended the maths after school club as methods used in some areas of maths have changed and to assist our child with homework I attended and it was great fun and it did build a bond between us. We also know that teachers are encouraged by parents attending it makes them know that they are not alone and that they are supported and that the extra efforts that they put in to support and encourage our children are appreciated. Let’s continue to use and support this facility. CONTACTS: Choosing a school Finding a school to suit your child Applying for a school place & admissions criteria Appealing against a school place decision National Curriculum at Key stages 3 National Curriculum teacher assessments and key stages Office for Standards in Education (OFSTED) |
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