Facing challenges

Be prepared and meet any challenges head on

As they make their journey through secondary school, it’s only natural that tricky problems may arise for pupils from time to time.

Although parents will keep their fingers crossed that everything goes smoothly, it can help to be prepared to deal with any issues that might pop up along the way.

Firstly, it’s good to talk to your child so they know they can come to you with any issue they might be having. Reassure them that you will be there to offer a listening and understanding ear, no matter what is going on.

One issue that is bound to pop up – and it could be one that you have already discussed – does your child need a mobile phone? Yes, would probably be their automatic answer, although you might not be quite so keen. However, as they are now likely to be travelling further afield to lessons, or participating in more after-school activities, you might consider whether your child requires one so they can contact you in an emergency.

While it would be beneficial, you may be concerned that it could prove too much of a distraction. Pretty much every school will have a mobile phone policy outlawing their possession and use on school grounds. But most will accept that pupils carry them for safety reasons. They may have a procedure in place such as requiring them to be left with staff during school hours.

If you decide it’s a good time for your son or daughter to be given this extra responsibility, then it can be helpful to set some rules on its use and to reiterate the school’s policy. Ultimately it will come down to what you are happy with and what you feel is right for your child.

As your son or daughter moves through secondary school they are likely to experience an increased workload, especially when it comes to homework.

So how much help is too much? It’s likely your child will be assigned homework most nights and be given deadlines of when it all needs to be completed. It’s the best way for them to practise what they have learned in school, but it can be overwhelming at first, especially if they are not used to it.

Experts recommend that parents resist the temptation to get too involved in their child’s work. They also say it’s important to never correct work for them before it’s been seen by a teacher because then it’s not a true test of their abilities.

Many agree that the best way to help your son and daughter is to offer encouragement to ensure they are keeping on top of their assignments and also guidance – if they’re not comprehending a concept, take time to explain it. Discussing ideas or quizzing your children in spelling or foreign language phrases is another good way to show support.

During the five or seven years your child is at secondary school, you will hopefully never have a reason to complain about their school or a teacher. But if you are concerned, what should you do?

The first step is trying to resolve the problem with the school directly. This could be through an informal discussion with the headteacher.

If you fail to find a solution, the school should have a formal complaints procedure that you can follow. This will normally involve contacting the school’s management or governing body.