Back to school guide Preparing for school

The new school year can be a stressful time for parents and children, especially for those approaching a change such as a new school or exam time.

‘Children benefit from encouragement and reassurance from their parents about going back to school, and from having anxieties listened to and taken seriously,’ says parent support charity Parentline Plus’ Chief Executive Dorit Braun. ‘Parents also need to feel able to talk over their fears and worries so they can support their children.’

Talk to your child about any worries they have about returning to school

Tips to beat back to school blues

As part of Parentline’s Back to school campaign, the charity also has the following tips for nervous parents and school children.

• Start finding your routine again near the end of the holidays. Getting back to term-time bedtimes is a good place to start, then it won’t be such a shock when school starts again.
• ‘Back to school blues’ are common at the end of the holidays, but if you feel your child seems unusually worried or apprehensive use a quiet time out to ask if they are OK.
• Talk about change. Whether it’s a new school or a change in your family's circumstances, make time to talk about any fears or worries. Why not visit the school to get your child used to the new journey?
• Your child may be worried about losing friends who are going to a different secondary school or about making new friends. You could try inviting an old school friend round for tea at the end of the first week so they can compare notes.
• Tell your child you’re proud of them. If your child is about to start an important year such as GCSEs or first year at secondary school, they may need a bit more reassurance.
• Re-address any problems left over from last term. If your child has experienced bullying or has had problems at school, make sure you understand what they want to happen too - even if it means just talking about it.
• Be prepared to give them a bit of leeway for the first week or so. School can be a long day for kids and when they’re out of practice, it can be exhausting.

Parentline has a series of leaflets on schooling for parents including ‘starting school’ and ‘moving to secondary’ available to download from Parentline’s website or by calling 0808 800 2222.

Safety and transport

Every year, hundreds of children are killed or injured trying to get to and from their school. Follow these tips to help your child stay safe on their daily journey.

Getting to school

• Plan your route in advance and do a test run before term starts. Give yourself plenty of time to get to school and consider the extra time needed to negotiate rush hour traffic on term-time weekdays.
• Ask your child’s school about its provisions for safer or more eco-friendly travel options, such as a school bus service, walking bus or car shares and lollipop men and women on popular routes.

Younger children need a suitable car seat for the school run

Driving to school

• If there’s congestion near the school, park a little further away and walk.
• School entrances should be kept clear by drivers. Do not stop or park on ‘School Keep Clear’ markings, even to drop off or pick up passengers. Also avoid parking on the opposite side of the road to these markings and double parking in other nearby areas.
• Don’t reverse your car into school entrances when turning around.
• Make sure children only get in or out of the car on the pavement side and check for passing vehicles (especially cyclists) before opening car doors.
• Younger car passengers on the school run should be carried in a suitable child car seat. For our child seat buying guide and Which? Best Buys, check out the Which? Child car seats review.
• Consider teaming up with other parents to take turns picking up children from school. This will cut the number of cars on the road during rush hour, save fuel and be less polluting.

Your child's bike should be adjusted as they grow

Walking and cycling to school

• Teach your child about road safety, the green cross code and the ‘stop, look and listen’ road safety mantra.
• In winter months it can be difficult for drivers to see children cycling or crossing the road. Dress your child in a bright, florescent or light coloured coat for daytime travel, and consider adding reflective strips to school bags and coats for visibility after dark.
• Choose a bike that fits your child’s size, ability and needs. They should be able to keep both feet on the ground when sitting on the saddle and able to control the cycle without wobbling.
• Ask your child’s school if it offers cycling training or requires children to have passed a cycling course before cycling to school. The cycling proficiency scheme is now called Bikeability and can help your child learn cycling safety skills.
• Ensure your child’s bike has working lights if they will be cycling home from school after dark. Older children can also be taught simple bike repairs such as patching up a minor puncture.
• Cycling helmets are an essential accessory for child cyclists. Seek advice when shopping for a helmet and be sure it continues to fit correctly as your child grows.
• If you plan to cycle and carry small children with you, you’ll need to fit an appropriate child carrier or seat to your bike. Check out our Travelling with children guide to find out the options.