Starting secondary school: get ready for the first day at big school

by Angela Cole

So here we are - the first day of secondary school. Big school.

There are moments along the way as a parent when you realise you have to loosen your grip a little bit. Each time you do it a little bit more, until eventually you have to let them make their own way. But deep down, they'll always be your baby. You just just don't let them know you think it any more.

Starting "big" school is one of those moments.

Pens and pencils are a tiny fraction of what parents must buy for starting secondary school

Just because they're at big school doesn't mean they are actually big - just one look at that oversized blazer that you can't ever imagine them growing into and you know that. But, hard as it is, it's the start of them not being little any more.

My daughter loved primary school and that last day with the tears and the t-shirt scrawled with names and messages is still very fresh in our minds. Which makes it all the harder that it had to end and she has to start again, making new friends. She isn't going to be at school with any of her old friends, which is the most daunting prospect for her. But I remember from my school days that I started with my primary school friends and then made new friends. (But actually ended up back with the primary ones again later on!)

We've had to spend a hefty sum to get her kitted out for her new school

We've spent the summer buying everything she needs. Starting secondary school is one of the most expensive points in their lives. It's a bit like when you had to buy everything, from the nappies to the cot.

This time it's everything from pencil cases to blazers, shin pads, different t-shirts for different PE lessons and protractors. Surveys suggest the average parent spends £96 on uniform at the start of secondary school. But I'd day the actual figure for everything is double that.

For me as a mum, this is my third and final time of seeing one of my babies off to secondary school. So I'm prepared, even if she isn't.

I know there will be ups and downs, quite a few tears, a staggering amount of homework compared to last year and many lost calculators and PE tops. But we've all done it. And survived.

Good luck to all the boys and girls (and mums and dads) starting a new school today!