Making the step: Primary to Secondary School

Moving from primary to secondary school can be a daunting time in any child’s life, with the prospect of a completely new routine looming large over the summer holidays. Secondary school poses a whole new set of challenges, which can be exciting but also overwhelming for some children. There are a number of different things that parents can do to help make the transition from primary to secondary school easier and alleviate any potential concerns their child may have.

Visit the new secondary school

When children start secondary school they are thrust into a completely new environment, which will be different in many ways from their primary school. Simply visiting the school before the new school year starts helps ease any anxious feelings about starting somewhere new. Being able to picture the school from both the inside and the outside will help a child to imagine how they will fit in to the overall life of the school once term starts and minimises any fear of the unknown which they may have.

Be understanding

It is important that parents listen to the apprehensions a child may have about secondary school, rather than shrugging it off. If a child has an older sibling or cousin, simply getting them to have a quick chat about what to expect from secondary school helps quell any worries a child may have about starting at their new school. Hearing about the many interesting and exciting aspects of secondary school also helps to give a child a more positive outlook about the transition from primary to secondary school.

Join teams and clubs

A great way for children to take an active role in the life of their new school is to take part in the extra-curricular activities that the school offers. Taking part in these activities with other children helps them build friendships with their new classmates. Mastering a new sport or activity also builds their confidence as they progress through the school year.

Building on what was learnt in the previous school year
Studies have found that over the course of the six-week summer holiday children’s academic progress may suffer. Keeping a child’s mind active throughout the summer holidays can help to build on the progress made in the previous school year. There are some quick and easy ways to ensure that your child is ready for the step up to secondary school.

• Games – Playing games that practise a particular skill helps to keep a child’s mind active over the long summer holiday. Old-fashioned playing card games like whist and rummy help children develop visual memory and numeracy skills, and they are great fun too. Playing Scrabble is an excellent way of developing a child’s vocabulary and spelling skills. Any type of board game is helpful, even that old favourite Monopoly.

• Study sessions – These sessions do not need to be onerous or overbearing but could help give your child the edge when they start the new year at secondary school. A short study period of half an hour each day can have dramatic effects. Books published by AE Publications form part of such a programme and help build your child’s foundational skills in maths and English.

Organisation is Key

One of the most challenging aspects of starting secondary school is dealing with a more complex and demanding schedule. Simply getting to and from the new school is often difficult at first until there is an established routine. It is best to ensure your child is ready for each new school day by getting everything ready the night before – materials, books, uniform, etc. Things can often be forgotten or missed if this is attempted every morning instead. The amount of homework a child will be required to do may also pose a challenge. Set times for doing work at home, in the evening, will help to create a structured day, which will ensure that your child does not fall behind. Building a sense of routine both at school and at home will help to make a child’s transition from primary to secondary school as smooth as possible.

Booking for our September 2025 courses is STILL open!

BOOK NOW

Thinking about enrolling on a course? Is there a concern that is stopping you?

I couldn't enrol on the session I wanted for my child
We understand that family schedules can be hectic so it can be challenging to find the perfect group for your child to attend their weekly sessions. We recommend enrolling in a group that best fits your current schedule. This way, you can join waiting lists for any fully booked sessions. If a place becomes available in a group you're waitlisted for, we will contact you directly to see if you would like your child to switch groups.
Courses are too expensive
We understand that paying for the course in full can be challenging. That's why we offer interest-free standing order payments, allowing you to spread the cost over monthly instalments throughout the duration of the course.
There isn't a tuition centre near me
We're delighted that parents want to enrol their child nationwide and even worldwide on our courses. This is why we offer remote courses for our pupils to login to their weekly sessions from anywhere.

It doesn't matter if a child is enrolled on a remote course or a classroom-based course, our methodology stays the same. Pupils who attend our remote-learning courses will experience the same high standard of tuition, provided by experienced, UK-qualified teachers who have also been trained to deliver AE Tuition's specialised programmes.
I'm concerned that there will be too much work for my child
We understand that parents may be concerned about their child's workload. Please be reassured we are here to support both you and your child every step of the way. We take pride in our unique partnership between pupils, parents and teachers, which ensures open communication. If you ever feel that your child is struggling, we strongly encourage you to speak with their teacher or a member of our teaching team as soon as possible so that we can address the issue immediately.
I'm confused which course I need to enrol my child on
We offer a range of courses for children aged 7 to 15 years, and we understand the importance of choosing the right one for your child. If you need assistance, please feel free to contact our Customer Service team by filling in the contact form or calling us on 020 8867 2727 (Mon-Fri, 09:00 to 14:30).
I have another reason why I haven't enrolled my child yet...

    If you would like to talk to AE Tuition directly, please feel free to contact our Customer Service team by filling in the contact form or calling us on 020 8867 2727 (Mon-Fri, 09:00 to 14:30).