High school start

I can absolutely identify with this and I have some experience to share... My oldest daughter has always been very quiet and gentle, very thoughtful, always worrying about things, often anxious. In her final year of primary we moved and she had to change schools but she had friends there and was happy. When it came to high schools, everyone in her class applied for the same one - the one closest to us. And everyone got in, except for her - we were told it was because we hadn't lived in the area long enough at the time of applying. She was devastated, beyond upset. She worried and panicked and cried constantly all through that summer and as the new term approached it just intensified. I absolutely fought like hell to appeal, I tried everything even getting local councillors involved. It was probably one of the worst times in my life as well as hers because I was sick with worry. Nothing I did worked and the appeals board ultimately upheld their decision...

She had to go to a school that was miles away, no direct transport, not one single person there that she knew and no one else going there that lived where we lived. It was awful. Literally her first week she got chatting to a couple of girls just like her, they became good friends. Then a couple more. Then a couple more. After about a month she had a lovely group of mates and when I asked her if she would switch to that other school we'd fought for she said NO!! It was a great school to be fair, and they knew our worries and concerns going in and did everything they could to ease her transition. They had a buddy programme, and regular sessions with the school counselling team. She was so well supported. Turns out I needn't have worried, she had a great experience, got more and more confident as the years went by and has an amazing group of friends who are lovely girls just like her. She collected her GCSE results last week and she did amazing.

My son also just finished primary, starts high school next week - but he's a completely different animal. He probably could've started high school a year ago he's that ready for it and he can't wait, he's really excited. He's not a worrier like my daughter is, he just smashes through life 😂 So I won't tell you not to worry because you're probably still going to anyway, but try to focus on some positives - this could be an amazing experience for your daughter and she will absolutely flourish and thrive at high school. She could make some amazing new friends and you'll get to see her growing up with them and making the most of all those teenage experiences. And if you're really concerned, open that communication up with the school right from the start, let them help, they will have lots of things in place for offering that extra support. And keep talking to your daughter, let her know you're there for her through whatever happens, good and bad. I'm sure she already knows that and is lucky to have you! Xx

Oh my god I feel like I could have wrote this myself! Worst is she’s also feeling scared about being bullied already 😭 I got bullied terribly so I’m terrified just hope it all ends up being ok

I’m feeling exactly the same hun! But fingers crossed things go ok for her 🤞