A question for parents of secondary school age kids...

Zeb · 3rd May 2010, 11:09

Just a wee straw poll if people wouldn't mind giving me their thoughts?

I am examining the possibility of writing a two book 'Secondary School Survival Guide' (one for parents and one for their children). As it strikes me that there is a huge amount of information / advice / help that would make life much much easier for both mum and dad and the kids...

The aim being to give kids a better chance at school because they and their parents would have a better idea of how to deal with schools, what to watch out for, the pit falls, how to make your points effectively, the things to ask about, the basic legalities and channels of communication re SEN, exclusions, problems in school, exams etc. (for the parents) As well as giving them a sense of what will happen when so they can plan ahead and best help their offspring in a variety of practical ways.

Equally, for the kids, it would be a question of lots of practical advice and ideas to make life easier for them in school - on all issues, from how to deal with problems sith other students, to making friends, to how best to approach homework, why being organised in Y7 makes the next 5-7 years so much easier...forewarned being forearmed etc..all done in a fun, non-patronising yet accessible manner.

If people could take a moment to post their thoughts on this or PM / Email me I would be most grateful.

Thanks!

Simondi · 3rd May 2010, 11:55

I think it is a very sound idea.
My daughter started at secondary school last August and thankfully really enjoys it. That being said she is very musical and the school by chance has a concert band and choir which she spends all her free time at.

Certainly it was a daunting prospect for us and her and any help or guidence would have been apprecieated.

Worth bearing in mind that there are different education systems in place in Scotland however the social interactions etc are the same I would suspect wherever you live.

Zeb · 3rd May 2010, 12:09

Thanks Simondi....you are quite correct, I would have to take account of the differences in Scotland, as well as areas where selective education is still the norm too I guess. I think it the move to Secondary is almost more daunting for parents than the kids! Maybe a section on how to enable a child to make the most of their talents might be in order too....

JohnDotCom · 3rd May 2010, 12:19

Here in Wales Zeb we still have plenty of grammar schools as well as schools for purely teaching in the medium of Welsh.
But sounds a good idea and sure to help some people.

Raistlin · 3rd May 2010, 14:00

I don't have any secondary school age children as I think they're harmful to health and wealth but as somebody who has a lot of contact with them, I think it would be an excellent Idea Carl

Zeb · 4th May 2010, 20:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raistlin

I don't have any secondary school age children as I think they're harmful to health and wealth but as somebody who has a lot of contact with them, I think it would be an excellent Idea Carl

Can't say I disagree with your analysis Paul....

Thanks for the encouragement all....

sworks · 4th May 2010, 21:21

Fantastic idea, sooooo much info is not forth coming ( even when planned 18 months ahead

) When can we buy a copy

payner75t · 4th May 2010, 21:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by sworks

Fantastic idea, sooooo much info is not forth coming ( even when planned 18 months ahead

) When can we buy a copy

totally agree , the amount we didn't know when my eldest started secondary school was scary.
my daughter is starting in september and is very daunted by it all,

Zeb · 5th May 2010, 11:14

Thanks folks... I have started discussions with a publisher so I will let you know if this is going to happen...

Jake · 5th May 2010, 15:59

More than happy to help, hopefully got some knowledge that would be able to be used!

Jake

3rd May 2010, 11:09	#1
Zeb Banned MGZT V8 & ZTT 190+LPG Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 8,089 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	A question for parents of secondary school age kids... Just a wee straw poll if people wouldn't mind giving me their thoughts? I am examining the possibility of writing a two book 'Secondary School Survival Guide' (one for parents and one for their children). As it strikes me that there is a huge amount of information / advice / help that would make life much much easier for both mum and dad and the kids... The aim being to give kids a better chance at school because they and their parents would have a better idea of how to deal with schools, what to watch out for, the pit falls, how to make your points effectively, the things to ask about, the basic legalities and channels of communication re SEN, exclusions, problems in school, exams etc. (for the parents) As well as giving them a sense of what will happen when so they can plan ahead and best help their offspring in a variety of practical ways. Equally, for the kids, it would be a question of lots of practical advice and ideas to make life easier for them in school - on all issues, from how to deal with problems sith other students, to making friends, to how best to approach homework, why being organised in Y7 makes the next 5-7 years so much easier...forewarned being forearmed etc..all done in a fun, non-patronising yet accessible manner. If people could take a moment to post their thoughts on this or PM / Email me I would be most grateful. Thanks! Last edited by Zeb; 3rd May 2010 at 11:12..

3rd May 2010, 11:55	#2
Simondi Regional Secretary MGTF, MG ZS EV Exclusive Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Kilwinning Posts: 14,046 Thanks: 1,460 Thanked 3,563 Times in 1,857 Posts	I think it is a very sound idea. My daughter started at secondary school last August and thankfully really enjoys it. That being said she is very musical and the school by chance has a concert band and choir which she spends all her free time at. Certainly it was a daunting prospect for us and her and any help or guidence would have been apprecieated. Worth bearing in mind that there are different education systems in place in Scotland however the social interactions etc are the same I would suspect wherever you live. __________________ Simondi FAQ How do you do that? Club Flyers Looking for a car seen in a film or on TV? Fancy a change in colour or wheels - paint configurator OBD - Trip Meter Ultimate Buyers Guide Post YouTube videos

3rd May 2010, 12:09	#3
Zeb Banned MGZT V8 & ZTT 190+LPG Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 8,089 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks Simondi....you are quite correct, I would have to take account of the differences in Scotland, as well as areas where selective education is still the norm too I guess. I think it the move to Secondary is almost more daunting for parents than the kids! Maybe a section on how to enable a child to make the most of their talents might be in order too.... Last edited by Zeb; 3rd May 2010 at 12:12..

4th May 2010, 21:21	#7
sworks Been absent for a while… Rover 75 Tourer, Classic mini Cooper S, Abarth 595 competizione, MG TF and a Hyundai Tucson PHEV Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Cumbria Posts: 13,065 Thanks: 1,033 Thanked 1,686 Times in 1,040 Posts	Fantastic idea, sooooo much info is not forth coming ( even when planned 18 months ahead ) When can we buy a copy __________________ ................................................. 'Marmite' Possibly one of the most famous 75 tourers produced! left the production line as the last of only Three Rover 75 tourers produced in Trophy Yellow. 48 hours later Longbridge closed. The last sold ordered 75 Tourer. Paid for by the Phoenix Four and handed over by John Towers to the Warwickshire Northampton Air ambulance service as a Rapid Response vehicle

3rd May 2010, 12:19	#4
JohnDotCom * Rover 75 FaceLift Tourer CDTi 170BHP Auto ConnSE 2005 Model Starlight Silver Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Abergele Posts: 28,735 Thanks: 0 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts	Here in Wales Zeb we still have plenty of grammar schools as well as schools for purely teaching in the medium of Welsh. But sounds a good idea and sure to help some people.

3rd May 2010, 14:00	#5
Raistlin Banned 75 CDT Connoisseur SE Auto Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Wolverhampton Posts: 8,450 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts	I don't have any secondary school age children as I think they're harmful to health and wealth but as somebody who has a lot of contact with them, I think it would be an excellent Idea Carl

5th May 2010, 11:14	#9
Zeb Banned MGZT V8 & ZTT 190+LPG Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 8,089 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Thanks folks... I have started discussions with a publisher so I will let you know if this is going to happen...

5th May 2010, 15:59	#10
Jake Banned 2004 75 Contemporary SE Tourer, 2005 (55) Pearl Black Conn. SE Tourer. Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Lincoln Posts: 2,129 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	More than happy to help, hopefully got some knowledge that would be able to be used! Jake