Starting secondary school is a huge milestone – not just for our children, but for us parents too. As a mum of twins stepping into Year 7, I knew I wanted to be as prepared and calm as possible. If you’re about to start this journey (whether it’s with one child or a whole set of siblings!), here are the things that made our transition a little bit smoother.
1. Book Lockers Early
As soon as the portal opened, I was online! We opted for mid-level lockers – a perfect height for the girls. Top lockers would have been a stretch (literally!), and floor-level ones just didn’t feel practical. If you get the chance to choose, mid-level is a game-changer.
2. Save Important Contacts
Save all key school contact emails into your address book as soon as you get them. Trust me – when you need to email the school urgently, you won’t want to scroll through thousands of messages to find the right address.
3. Create a Shared Family Calendar
We’ve set up a shared calendar that includes me, their dad, and emergency contacts. I’ve also shared it with the twins so they can see all their own key dates – including assemblies and form time activities. It’s a great way to keep everyone in the loop without constant reminders.
4. Set Up a Lesson Timetable in Google Calendar
To help them settle into their new routine, I’ve created their lesson timetable in Google Calendar. I’ll update it weekly for now, until they’re confident enough to manage it themselves. It also gives me visibility if they ever forget a book or PE kit.
5. Book Hobbies in Advance
Once school starts, it gets busy fast. I made sure all their extracurricular activities were booked before September so we’re not scrambling once school begins. It keeps their week balanced and gives them something fun to look forward to.
6. Spread Out Uniform Costs
I started buying bits of uniform as early as possible to spread out the cost. We’ve gone for two full sets of everything and extra shirts – because let’s face it, I don’t want to be stressing over laundry on a Wednesday night!
7. Accept Help From Family
We’ve been really lucky to have help from family, and I’m forever grateful. Whether it’s covering part of the cost or offering to do a uniform run, don’t be afraid to say yes when support is offered.
8. Book Fitting Appointments Early
Uniform fittings and shoe measurements can get booked up quickly, especially in August. I made our appointments well in advance, which meant we avoided the last-minute rush and actually enjoyed the experience.
9. Plan for Costs in Advance
If you can, try projecting the rough costs and start saving earlier in the year. It’s not always easy when life is full-on (especially as a working parent), but even having a rough estimate helps. I didn’t think to look for blog posts like this when we were starting out – which is why I’ve written it now. Hopefully, it finds the right parents at just the right time.
Whether you’re juggling uniforms, calendars, or lunchbox planning, just know that you’re not alone. Starting secondary school is a whole new world, but a little prep goes a long way. Have your own top tips for Year 7? Share them in the comments.
