Testing times for pupils preparing for a new school year
Starting school is a huge milestone in a child's life. But those first tentative steps into the world of education are merely the start of a long journey, with numerous challenges en route.
Starting school is a huge milestone in a child's life. But those first tentative steps into the world of education are merely the start of a long journey, with numerous challenges en route.Hannah Gray talks to youngsters who are getting ready for big changes in their school career, and also gets a mother's perspective.
Chloe Griffin: starting at the King's School
FOR four years, Chloe Griffin, from Walton, has been a young girl with one aim – to get into the King's School. And now, finally, she is about to live her dream.
Chloe (11) has just finished the Discovery School, and this week will have her first lessons at one of Peterborough's most prestigious learning establishments.
Her mum, Yvonne (51), said she doesn't know why Chloe decided that King's was for her.
Hannah Gray talks to youngsters who are getting ready for big changes in their school career:
Now Time for Zoe to knuckle down to her GCSE studies.
Sundeep moves schools to do her A-Levels.
Advice for parents.
More from PeterboroughToday.co.uk
Education home.
Advice after GCSEs.
Advice after A-levels.
She said: "She's been going on about it for ages and ages, that she wanted to go to King's. Where it's come from I don't know."
Chloe, along with her mum and her dad Mac (60), are regular church-goers and Yvonne had to write to King's to explain about her involvement with the church in order to help Chloe get in.
Yvonne is originally from Kent so did not previously know very much about King's, but it has already made a good impression.
"I think the one thing about the school is that it's a family orientated school, it's an extension to the family and you get a feel for that when you go in," she said.
"The children are nice, they talk to you when you go in."
King's was undoubtedly delighted to receive an application from Chloe as she is a very dedicated pupil – she was awarded a special certificate for not missing a single day in her entire time at Discovery Primary School.
Chloe is the only one of her school friends going to King's this year, and despite her excitement about following her dream, she admitted to feeling sad on the last few days at primary school.
"On the Monday, they gave us autograph books to get signed and we got our shirts signed as well," she said.
And while Yvonne is pleased that her daughter got into King's, sending Chloe off on that first day will be a big step for the family.
She said: "Obviously it's a shock when your child grows up, you want to keep them safe but you've got to let them have the experiences and you've got to let them grow in their own way."
"I think it's good she's going to a school she wants to be in, and hopefully from that she will learn and develop and take responsibility for herself and become all that she can be.
"It will open up a lot more opportunities to her. She's always liked learning and reading books. I think she was beginning to get bored at the Discovery School. I'm not saying that's bad, but I think she was ready to move on, although she did really enjoy her time at Discovery."
And Yvonne will be marking Chloe's transition to secondary school in a traditional way.
"I'll take a few pictures of her when she's in her uniform on her first day, like I did when she went to Discovery. It's like a new beginning really, a new chapter in her life," she said.
What are your experiences?
Comment below, email us: features@ peterboroughtoday.co.uk.Time for Zoe to knuckle down to her GCSE studies
This summer is the calm before the storm for 15-year-old Zoe Pallister.
During the last few weeks she has enjoyed a family holiday to Great Yarmouth and a scout camp, but from this month she knows the fun is over and the hard work begins.
Zoe will take GCSEs in maths, science, graphics, geography, French, RE and English language next summer, having already taken a GCSE in English literature.
She said that before she headed off for the summer holiday, her teachers at Arthur Mellows Village College in Glinton, were keen to make sure that everyone knew what was expected of them come September.
"They were all like 'make sure you behave, next year is important'," she said.
Despite all the pressure that Zoe will no doubt face, she is not afraid of the next few months.
She said: "It doesn't bother me really. It should really be good because we've got a lot of new teachers so it should be a bit fresher and nice."
Zoe perhaps knows some of what is in store for her as big brother
Adam is 18, so she saw him go through GCSEs two years ago.
"He was a bit of a stress head at the time," she said.
Clearly, with a lot of studying to be done, there may not be quite as much time for fun, but Zoe is not too worried about the effect this will have on her social life.
"Everybody's pretty sensible and knows we've got to get on with it.
"I think everyone will just knuckle down," she said.
As the summer draws to a close, Zoe's thoughts are bound turn to the next academic year, but she insists the thought of a stressful few months haven't blighted her summer.
"I don't really think about it, I just take it as it comes," she said.
What are your experiences?
Comment below, email us: features@ peterboroughtoday.co.uk.
Next page: Sundeep moves schools to do her A-Levels
Back to main feature:
Hannah Gray talks to youngsters who are getting ready for big changes in their school career.Sundeep moves schools to do her A-Levels
AFTER getting a pretty fantastic set of exam results, things are looking good for Sundeep Kaur (16).
She has just left St John Fisher School with five A*s, four As, and one B at GCSE, and has decided to go to King's School to do her A-Levels.
There she will study biology, chemistry, physics, maths and general studies, in the hope of getting into university at a later date.
Sundeep said that after attending St John Fisher since she was in Year 7, she felt ready for a change.
"I just thought, I'm getting older, I should really do new things. Everyone will have a change later and if I'm going to go to university I might as well get used to it," she said.
Although going to a new place may be daunting, Sundeep said she has been made to feel very welcome by The King's School.
She has been to induction days and has made friends already.
Sundeep will be joined at The King's School by two boys from St John Fisher. Some of her former classmates are going to the Thomas Deacon Academy, while some are staying on at their old school.
She is confident that wherever they are studying, they will all stay in contact.
"I'm going to keep in touch with all of them," she said. "But it's going to be really different because I've known most my friends since primary school. We'll probably meet up once a week or something, we're always in touch."
Sundeep's year group will have the chance to say their farewells formally at a celebration evening later in September, but before then she will have donned the maroon blazer and started at The King's School.
She said she is looking forward to it.
"I'm quite excited because I've chosen my A-Levels because I enjoy them. I'll focus on what I like best," she said.
But even though she may have a passion for her chosen subjects, there is no doubting Sundeep will have to get through a lot of work over the next two years.
How does she think she will cope with this?
"I think I'll find it OK. I haven't started a job yet, so that helps. I'm sure I'll find enough hours in the day to do it all. You just have to be organised, I guess," she said.
As well as getting to grips with her A-Levels, Sundeep has other big plans for the next two years.
She hopes to get a part time job and also to start having driving lessons so that she can pass her test.
And having just been through it, Sundeep has some sage advice for youngsters just about to start their GCSE year.
"Even though it's more intense than Year 9, you find time to do things," she said.
"You shouldn't make yourself struggle over stuff. You should always have time for yourself to relax because that's just as important as doing your work, you need time to unwind."
What are your experiences?
Comment below, email us: features@ peterboroughtoday.co.uk.
Next page: Advice for parents
Back to main feature:
Hannah Gray talks to youngsters who are getting ready for big changes in their school career.Advice for parents
If you are worried about your child making a transition, try not to pass this on to them as this will compound any fears they may have.
For children starting secondary school, make sure they have all the uniform and equipment they need on the first day.
Be prepared for unsettled times at the start. There could be tears and temper tantrums, and they might not want to to go to school, but, if they are getting the help and support they need this should pass.
At secondary school, and particularly when your child is doing their GCSEs, homework is more important, and there will be more of it.
Ensure your child has a quiet working space and allow them to organise their own time, providing they still get the necessary work done.
Tackle any problems your child encounters early so that it doesn't lead to bigger or more complex issues such as truancy.
For pupils taking exams, go slightly easier on them in terms of chores and encourage the rest of the family to support them in any way they can.
Many pupils like to revise with some gentle music in the background, but doing so with a TV or radio on, or with loud music, is not a good idea.
Relaxation is important for pupils too so make sure they plan some time off.
What are your experiences?
Comment below, email us: features@ peterboroughtoday.co.uk.
Back to main feature:
Hannah Gray talks to youngsters who are getting ready for big changes in their school career.
More from PeterboroughToday.co.uk
Education home.
Advice after GCSEs.
Advice after A-levels.
Email to a friend
Print this page - Popular
- Most comments
- Most shared
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Local pages
Looking for a...
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Peterborough
Saturday 20 March 2010
Today
Light showers
Temperature: 3 C - 13 C
Wind Speed: 19 Knots
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 3 C - 13 C
Wind Speed: 10 Knots
Wind direction: South west
Your view
Please sign in to be able to comment on this story.