Preparing Your Child for Secondary School
Is your child starting secondary school in September? It can be a daunting prospect, with new teachers, unfamiliar routines, larger buildings and increased independence all combining to make it feel quite overwhelming at first.
Yet while the move from primary school to Year 7 is a significant change, with the right preparation and support, children with dyslexia can settle in well and grow in confidence. In this latest article, we take a look at some top tips for parents to help them make the transition as smooth as possible…
Talk positively about the change
Children often take emotional cues from the adults around them, and while it is natural to feel anxious, try to present secondary school as an exciting next step rather than something to fear. Conversations at home can help your child focus on the opportunities ahead, whether that is making new friends, joining clubs or discovering favourite subjects.
At the same time, give them space to talk honestly about any worries they may have. Some children with dyslexia feel nervous about keeping up with reading, copying from the board or finding classrooms on time, so reassurance is important, but so is listening carefully and acknowledging their concerns.
Visit the school more than once if possible
Most secondary schools offer transition days or open evenings, and these can make a huge difference to new starters. Familiarity helps reduce anxiety, especially for children who struggle with processing lots of new information at once.
If possible, visit the school outside of busy transition events as well. Walking the route to key classrooms, the dining hall and toilets can help your child feel more prepared. Some schools may even provide maps, photographs or visual timetables to support pupils with additional learning needs.
Communicate with the school early
Good communication between home and school is essential, so don’t wait for September to start engaging with the staff there. Contact them early to ensure that they are fully aware of your child’s needs and what support they require.
Many secondary schools have a Special Educational Needs Coordinator (SENCO) who oversees additional support, and arranging an early meeting with the SENCO can be reassuring for both parents and pupils. Sharing information about what works well at primary school gives secondary staff a clearer understanding of your child’s strengths and challenges from the outset.
Focus on organisation skills
One of the biggest changes in secondary school is managing multiple subjects and teachers. For children with dyslexia, organisation can sometimes be just as challenging as literacy tasks, so help your child develop practical systems over the summer holidays to ease some of that pressure. Simple tips such as labelling folders clearly, colour-coding subjects, and using simple checklists for school bags can make a huge difference.
Just remember not to overload your child with complicated systems, as the aim is to make daily routines easier, not more stressful.
Encourage independence gradually
Secondary school brings greater expectations around independence, but this does not happen overnight. Giving children small responsibilities before September can help them feel more capable, and simple tasks such as setting an alarm, preparing a uniform or managing pocket money can all build confidence.
Children with dyslexia sometimes become reliant on adults stepping in quickly to help, particularly if they have struggled academically in the past. Encouraging independence in manageable stages helps them feel more in control.
Support emotional wellbeing
The transition to secondary school is not only academic, and social changes can feel equally significant. Open conversations at home remain important during the first few months of Year 7, and some children may appear tired or irritable simply because they are adjusting to a busier environment and processing far more information each day.
Make sure there is time for rest and downtime alongside homework and extracurricular activities. A calm evening routine can help reduce stress, particularly during the early weeks of term.
Remember that strengths matter too
Children with dyslexia often develop excellent problem-solving skills, creativity and resilience. Secondary school provides new opportunities for these strengths to shine through, whether in sport, drama, art, technology or practical subjects.
It is easy for parents to focus entirely on the challenges ahead, but celebrating your child’s abilities is just as important.
Final thoughts
Starting Year 7 is a period of adjustment, and there may be bumps along the way. However, with preparation, patience and good support, children with dyslexia can thrive in secondary school and enjoy a successful start to this exciting new chapter.
Having the right tools and resources can also help make the transition easier for students, and here at The Dyslexia Shop, we have everything they need to hit the ground running come September.