
Get into good habits for the years to come
When your child starts secondary school, you will probably be wondering how to encourage them to take responsibility for revision and get into good habits for the years ahead.
Welcome to Big School – your comprehensive guide to the next step of your child’s education.
In this magazine you will find detailed advice on how to choose the perfect secondary school for your son or daughter. This is where they will spend a large proportion of the next five years and that’s why it’s so important to find a place where they will be happy and thrive.
Our guide details all of the factors you will need to consider when comparing different schools as well as information on the application process.

When your child starts secondary school, you will probably be wondering how to encourage them to take responsibility for revision and get into good habits for the years ahead.

From playing in the band to being part of a sports team, there is more to school life than just what goes on in the classroom.

It’s inevitable that not every student will get their first choice of secondary school. And while you will be keeping your fingers crossed that your child gets a spot, you should be prepared in case your wish doesn’t come true.

Attending an open day is one of the best ways to let your son or daughter get a feel for a new school.

These days there are many different types of school that differ in how they are run and funded as well as what subjects they teach.

Ofsted is a name that will already be familiar to most parents and it’s one that you will continue to hear throughout your child’s secondary school education.

Applying to secondary school for the first time may seem a bit daunting, so it helps to fully understand the process.

An important milestone in the parental journey is when your child starts at secondary school. You will have mixed emotions and so will your son or daughter. Enjoy this transition together!

One of the secondary school milestones your child can look forward to is their first work experience placement, usually in Year 10. This is a chance for your son or daughter to get out and explore the world of work and gain some invaluable insight which could inspire their future career choice.

Many parents will rule out fee-paying schools for their children because of the costs involved. But most independent schools, often known as private schools, will offer financial assistance in the form of scholarships or bursaries for pupils.