Pupils pen letters to help new high school starters

Thousands of pupils across Leicestershire will put on an oversized blazer and a tie as they start high school this week.

It is a daunting step for pupils and parents alike, but students at one school in Leicester have attempted to make life a little easier for their new classmates.

Pupils at Manor High School in Oadby have penned letters to new Year 7 starters to offer a welcome, support and advice on how to navigate their first days.

The letters were sent out to the new secondary school pupils in the last two days of the summer holidays.

Sameer, who is heading into his second year at Manor High School in Oadby, is one of the pupils who wrote a letter.

He said he was proud of completing his first year at secondary school but remembered the fears he had when he started and wanted to pass on his reassurances to younger children.

In his letter, he said: "Dear year 6-7, starting secondary school can feel exciting and a little bit scary but don't worry - I felt the same.

"Year 7 goes by so quickly... I hope you have an amazing first year, I know I did."

Sameer also gave advice on what their first day will be like and what it is like to learn at the school.

Another pupil moving up to Year 8 is Lizzie, who said she felt it was important for new starters to hear the truth from her year group.

She said her main concerns when she started were getting lost, making friends and asking for help.

"Dear future Year 7s, you may be worried about starting secondary school, I was too but there's nothing to fear," she wrote.

"In the first week you may get lost, let's be realistic, but there's loads of people around in bright yellow t-shirts to help you. Don't be shy to ask for help."

"I wish you the best of luck at Manor High."

Headteacher Simon Grieff said students had reacted "enthusiastically" to the activity, which was launched this year.

"It makes me feel so proud," he said.

"It's really nice to see our current pupils really care about the school they're in and really want to reassure the younger pupils about their transfer to secondary school.

"There's often a worry about transition to secondary school. Often a lot of that is from parents who are anxious about their children - it's a big deal for parents."

Andrew Wilson, CEO of the Oak Multi Academy Trust, which runs the school, wanted to ease the concerns of parents sending their children into secondary education.

"Most children are ready before we are as parents, truthfully," he said,

"They've had seven years of making friends, falling out, sorting things for themselves, growing in confidence. Year 7 is where that pays off.

"Secondary schools today aren't the ones we remember from our own school days, and mostly for the better. This is the start of a brilliant few years."

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