[senco-forum] anxious year 7s

I work in a girls' school and we have  a reputation for being 'strict'. A couple of years ago we had a a similar 'epidemic 'with year 7. They found it  very hard to settle in. One of the reasons was that they were not used to the discipline and the structure of the school day. SEN pupils (and there were quite a few) could not cope with the classwork and they found the amount of  homework absolutely impossible. This led to a review of our homework policy. I must say in all honesty that some teachers' views on homework were almost Dickensian in their severity and did not take into account the problems of pupils with dyslexia and other learning difficulties. Another good thing that came out of it was a change in transition procedures; for the last two years we have had the year7s on their own for the first two days in September to give them a good start. We try to identify pupils who have low self esteem before they start with us and they are referred to the learning mentor. She runs drop in sessions at lunchtime and breaktime.We also have a peer mentoring scheme; older girls befriend younger pupils and make sure that they are not lonely during lunch/breaktimes. They take them to lunchtime clubs and encourage them to take part in activities.
I am also going to run a nurture group with our E.P. We were supposed to start it this term but we have had to postpone it until after Easter! It is called the 'Friends' programme, you probably have heard of it, but if you want me to send you the info. I am happy to do it. 

Could you get one of your TAs to start a peer mentoring scheme?
Do you think that may be underlying causes for this anxiety?

Luisa> From: jwwray14 at hotmail.com> To: senco-forum at lists.becta.org.uk> Date: Tue, 8 Jan 2008 19:47:27 +0000> Subject: [senco-forum] anxious year 7s> > We seem to have an epidemic of Year 7 pupils showing signs of extreme anxiety - being ill, not coming to school, feeling sick, crying in school, wanting to talk to Mummy, wanting to go home, saying they feel sick etc etc. Some are heading towards school refusal. There are a few children higher up the school showing similar trends but I;ve really noticed it this year.> Anyone else got similar experience or a theory as to why.> I haven't been able to put much TA support into Year 7 this year and so we're not there to get to know them - could be a factor> Janice> > Janice Wray> > Secondary SENCO, Herts> > _________________________________________________________________> Fancy some celeb spotting? > https://www.celebmashup.com
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