Coming to Westbourne?
We provide the scaffolding so that they can build their houses
Joining a new school or moving from primary to secondary school is an
exciting and signific
ant event in the life of a child. It is something that many
of us still remember. It is an important milestone which, for many parents and teachers, marks a change in expectations regarding crucial life-skills such as independent working and self-organisation.
When students start at Westbourne, they are expected to cope with a whole variety of new experiences and changes, many of which demand skills and abilities that they have not had to use before. The problem is that these skills will not develop overnight, like reading and writin they have to be taught and our children need support in developing them.
Useful Guides
Most parents would like to help reassure their children, prepare them for these changes and support them in developing the skills they need, but sometimes feel they lack the information and expertise to do so. For many
of us our own experience of secondary schools is all we have to go on. At Westbourne, we want to work with you
to help provide the support needed for your child. We have a booklet that is designed to help parents; it provides
a checklist of ideas to help parents and their child overcome the worries we all have, the information needed to
help your child achieve independence, whilst supporting them in getting there.
Amongst the top concerns that Year 6 students express are social concerns. Although common, most children report that they are no longer worried about these after just one or two weeks at school. The remaining worries are nearly all to do with the new organisational demands that they know will be placed upon them.
If your child expresses these worries it is useful to tell them this, and to emphasis that everyone else will also be feeling anxious. As there will be many more children in Year7 than in Year 6 everyone has a good choice of friends and even children who move up with several children from their class tend to make new friends at secondary school. Talk to your child’s Year 6 teacher if these worries become great – they will be able to arrange for your child to meet some other students who will be starting and perhaps a ‘buddy’ for the first two or three weeks.
How to find your way around the school buildings -
Ground floor plan 
(39kb)
Upper floor plan (35kb)
