Secondary school: my people, places and backup plan
Free family resourceFree CAN parent resource
No sign-up needed. Print the page or save the A4 PDF. Your notes stay on your own copy.
Free resource. Print this page or copy the prompts into your own notebook or document. The spaces below are for your own notes, not an online form.
Fill this in with your young person using information confirmed by the school. They can keep a small private copy of the details they need.
My everyday route
- Journey and usual departure time: ____________________
- Entrance or meeting point: ____________________
- What I do if the journey changes: ____________________
- How I contact my parent or carer: ____________________
People who can help
- Form tutor or main contact: ____________________
- Where to go if I am lost or confused: ____________________
- Person to approach if I am worried or upset: ____________________
- Individual support arrangement we have confirmed: ____________________
Words to borrow: “I am new and I need help finding ______.”
Things I want explained
Choose the ones that matter:
- Timetable and equipment.
- Lunch and payments.
- Toilets and changing rooms.
- Breaktime places and activities.
- Homework and asking for help.
- My own question: ____________________
One useful practice
- Something we can try before the first day: ____________________
- Information we need from school: ____________________
- Who will ask, and when? ____________________
Example: “We will practise the bus route together and ask school where to go if the bus arrives late.”
After the first few days
- Something that now feels familiar: ____________________
- Something I still need help with: ____________________
- Person we will contact: ____________________
Keep phone numbers, travel details and support information private. This plan can change as your young person learns the school. They do not have to know everything or make a close friend immediately.
For ideas to use alongside this resource, read Starting secondary school: make the unfamiliar parts easier to picture.
More help for your family
