Education
Timeline: 11-12 Yr-Olds: Year 7
Starting secondary school is arguably the biggest change your child
will face in his educational life. But it's sometimes stressful and often
emotionally draining for both pupils and parents.
In
Year 7, pupils start Key Stage 3, which lasts for three years and ends
two years before GCSE. Basic literacy skills are assumed to have been
acquired and the bulk of the National Curriculum is subject-based.
It's
school, but not as we know it!
A Year 7 student leaves the familiar, relatively small confines of primary
school and suddenly has to deal with a big school bag full of books, PE
kit, timetables and lunch! Different teachers for different subjects and
lots of scarey big teenagers in the playground. Initially, some pupils
feel overwhelmed. Others will rise to the challenge of a new environment.
Meet
the teachers
Usually, your senior school appoints a teacher in charge of Year 7, who
liaises with feeder primary schools and organises school induction days.
Induction days normally take place at the beginning of July in Year 6.
In
September, Year 7 pupils sometimes start a couple of days earlier than
the rest of the school. This settling-in period gives your child a chance
to meet their form tutor, who is generally in charge of daily registration
and form-based activities. Other teachers will also be introduced. It's
an opportunity to become familiar with the school layout and timetables
(probably a new concept) and to form new friendships with other pupils.
CATs
Once they've had a chance to settle in, most pupils sit CATs (Cognitive
Ability Tests), which will assess verbal and mathematical skills, spatial
reasoning etc. Depending on results, they may be placed in a 'set' or
'banded' in various subjects relative to ability. Schools have a process
of continuous assessment in addition to exams, so your child may change
sets at a later date.
Homework
demands
Pupils are required to do about 20-30 minutes homework per subject (usually
3) per night. Most schools provide pupils with a 'journal' or contact
book for your child to log timetables, homework tasks and reminders. It's
also the key link between parents and teachers. School policy may encourage
you to write notes in the journal in order to explain absence, illness,
reasons for lateness, no PE kit and so on.
Keeping
you informed
Pupils often receive a short report at the end of the first term and a
more comprehensive one later in the year, often after the end-of-year
exams. Parents' Evenings are normally scheduled soon after reports go
out so you can discuss your child's progress with subject teachers.
Year 7 children now considered mature enough
to enjoy - and behave - themselves on visits to theme parks, the theatre,
and sports events and the Head of Year often organises various trips for
the pupils.
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