Pre 16 Education

Transition from primary to secondary school

Going from primary to secondary school can be a bit daunting. It is a big change going from a school where you have one teacher to a school where you are moving around each lesson and need to find places. You might also be worried about meeting new people and not definitely being with the same friends as before. These are all normal feelings, and you won’t be the only one feeling like this. Watch this video for some useful tips to help you feel more confident about the change. 

Transitioning to secondary school | BBC

Where can I find help in school?

Sometimes in school you might need extra support with things that aren’t just learning. Your school will most likely have a pastoral team that you can contact for support. Other options would be to talk to your form tutor or head of year. The school website should give you options for what support is available in your school.  

Every school should also have access to the Teen Health service too. To find out a bit about the teen health service and when they are in your school try their website. Teen Health

Home schooling

For some young people, home schooling may be the best option to get the right experience for them. There are various places to get support with this. 

Seneca learning offer free support for KS2, KS3, GCSE and A Level Seneca learning All you need to do is sign up, it’s free to do so. 

North Warwickshire South Leicestershire college offer English and Maths lessons for Home schooled young people to attend 1 day a week during their GCSE years. For more information check out their website: Home educated students college support for GCSEs | NWSLC

Inspire for 14-16 | NWSLC

For more options see the inclusion service website Inclusion service | LCC

I’ve been excluded what can I do?

Being excluded can make you wonder what to do next. After you have been excluded you still have the right to an education, this could be in another setting i.e a different school or a PRU or it could mean learning from home. 

Whilst you are waiting for provision to be sorted, you can continue to learn using the Seneca learning offer, free support for KS2, KS3, GCSE and A Level Seneca learning All you need to do is sign up, it’s free to do so. 

If you have been permanently excluded you have the right to see any evidence for why you have been excluded and you also have the right to appeal your exclusion. 

The Childline website has lots of helpful information about this:

I want to change schools, what are my options?

If you want to change schools, you will need to visit the admissions portal on the Leicestershire County Council website. This will guide you through the process and show you what you might expect to happen before, during and after you make the application. There is one form for moving at the start of the academic year and another for moving in the middle of the year.  Apply for a school place | LCC

Schools not for me, what are my options?

For some young people, school is just not the right place to get the best experience and education available to them. There are a few different options if you feel this is the case for you. 

You could try homeschooling if there is somebody at home who can help to facilitate this. 

Or look at different provisions which offer training and learning rather than formal school classroom based lessons. 

Alternative providers

Young People | SENDIASS

School anxiety

Sometimes the thought of going to school can make you feel anxious. You may begin to shake, feel sweaty, have clammy hands, feel lightheaded, your breathing pattern may change or you may start to feel sick. These physical feelings are all signs of anxiety.  

There could be many reasons for you don’t feel like attending school, such as:  

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But how can we find ways to overcome these feelings so that going to school becomes a more positive experience? 

Use the information below for handy tips to help you to grow in confidence. 

Tips for dealing with back to school anxiety | Young Minds

Managing back to school anxiety support brochure | Kooth

I am being bullied

School can be a tough place especially if you feel like you are being bullied. When it is happening it can make you feel alone and like nobody understands. 

The first thing to do is to talk to a trusted adult within your school be this a subject teacher, your form tutor or a member of the pastoral team.  

You could also talk to your school Teen health worker who should be available in school at least once a week. Check out their website to see when they are in and around your school. Teen Health

Sometimes you might feel like you want to try overcoming these feelings on your own, if so try the website below for some tips on what to do and how to cope with being bullied. Talking to someone about being bullied | Young Minds

Online safety

Online safety is very important for everybody, be it keeping your personal details safe, knowing who you are talking to or understanding why you shouldn’t send photographs to people you don’t know, and especially why you should never share images of your friends with others. 

Remember anything you share public online can never be fully deleted and can always be found somehow. 

Look at the advice on the website below about how to stay safe when you are online.  Resources for 11-19 year olds | UK Safer Internet Centre

Funding and Financial support

Mainstream school transport for 5-16 year olds:

You may be able to get free transport to school if you live further from your school than the walking distance allowed by law or if your parents/carers are on a low income. It will depend on where you live and which school you go to. Leicestershire County Council

Tech4youth - North West Leicestershire support

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Free School Meals

If your parents /carers receive any of the following benefits, you may be able to get free school meals:

• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Support under Part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999
• The guaranteed element of Pension Credit
• Child Tax Credit (provided you’re not also entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual gross income of no more than £16,190)
• Working Tax Credit run-on - paid for 4 weeks after you stop qualifying for Working Tax Credit
• Universal Credit - if you apply on or after 1 April 2018 your household income must be less than £7,400 a year (after tax and not including any benefits you get)

Children who get paid these benefits directly, instead of through a parent or guardian, can also get free school meals.

You will be able to get free school meals if you are in a government-funded scheme and in:

• Reception class / Year 1 / Year 2

To find out more and apply

Pupil Premium

The Pupil Premium is extra government money which is paid to schools to support children’s learning and development. Your  school can choose how best to spend the Pupil Premium money. If you received Free School Meals (FSM)you are entitled to the Pupil Premium and could benefit from:

• Exciting new learning activities and opportunities
• One to one or small group sessions
• Extra tools, materials and equipment to help with learning in school or at home
• Before/after school clubs or activities

See Pupil Premium Leaflet here