Moving on to secondary school is an exciting, and slightly daunting process for any child – and their parents. If your child is joining Lady Manners School, we hope the practical advice below helps you both to settle in to school life.
Preparing for the first day
Before your child starts at Lady Manners School, they can find out more about life at school from this website. You can also look at our Facebook page (@LadyMannersSchool) where we post stories of student achievements, work, school events and developments.
In preparation for their first day, you should:
- make sure they have the right uniform
- add money to their ParentPay dinner money account (hint: get ahead of the game by doing this well before the end of the summer holidays). Your username and password will be sent to you.
- provide them with a sturdy and identifiable school bag or rucksack
- provide them with a pencil case, containing:
- pen
- pencil
- ruler
- rubber
- colouring pencils
- pencil sharpener
- compass
- a Casio scientific calculator
- a French, German or Spanish dictionary (we will let you know which language your child will be studying)
- pay the rental charge for a locker using ParentPay. Your username and password will be sent to you.
The first day
On the first day, Year 7 students spend time getting to know their form tutors and other students in their form groups. They will receive their timetable.
Students do not need to bring their games or PE kits to school on the first day of Year 7. Subsequently they should refer to their timetable and bring in games or PE kits on the days on which they are required. Students do not need to have a mobile phone at school. If, however, they do have one, they should be turned off and kept in their locker during the school day.
The end of the first few school days are devoted to showing students where to catch the bus home (if they will be catching the bus) and making sure they catch the right bus!
Day two onwards
Students tend to settle quickly into the school routine. One common worry is that they may get lost but, with the aid of the map that they are given, they usually learn the way around very quickly. The school day will be split into five periods (click here for more information).
There are many clubs and activities available during the lunch break, and after school. These do vary from year to year but, to give you an idea, click here to see those currently available.
Students are likely to receive more homework than they have been used to. Helping your child to establish a routine which includes time for completing homework is a good idea.
Student progress
Information about student progress, and how we keep parents and carers informed, is available on the Student Progress page.
Absence from school
- Click here for information on what you should do if your child is absent from school for any reason.
Student well-being
In a large school, every student needs to feel safe and happy. The school is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of all students. Should your child have any concerns in school they can approach any member of staff, in particular:
- Their Form Tutor
- Pastoral Support Assistant
- Head of Year
- Learning Support Department
More information
There is further useful information about the transition from primary school to Lady Manners School on our ‘Admissions to Lady Manners School‘ page.