Pate's induction day

[JsMum]

I would be interested to hear what other children thought of the induction day. My son had been excited about going to Pate's but after the induction day he no longer wants to go as he said it was boring.

[Bemily]

Dd enjoyed it. What in particular did he find boring?

[Glos_Mum]

.

[Even sell up]

Well - why don't you send him somewhere else where he wont be bored.

[JsMum]

Well - why don't you send him somewhere else where he wont be bored.

Have you any suggestions Even sell up?

We thought that this was the best school for him so we are hoping that he will be happy once they start proper lessons. He said he enjoyed the science but that was all.

[Stressed?Moi?]

We had a similar situation. DD said grammar induction was good but not fussed about going neither hated nor loved it. Cheers then! Unfortunately she did maths which is her hated subject and she didn't like the food. She wasn't feeling 100% so am hoping things will improve - especially as she normally has a really sunny, optimistic outlook. We've just got to believe it will all be good in the end jsmum.

[Red]

It could just be an expression of nerves?

It can be a very difficult transition. The kids are aware they've had to leap a high hurdle even if they've not been tutored (because of playground talk) so they naturally have high expectations. On the day, they meet a huge number of kids from a wide range of (70+) schools, few of whom know each other and all of whom are trying to find/establish their place. And although it's a small secondary, it's still a big step up in numbers and size from most primaries which makes it all much less personal and more daunting. I'm in two minds whether Induction Day is a good or bad thing!!

My DC's form tutor was extremely willling to help and Mrs Blackwell is very approachable and has a lot of experience with the particular difficulties of starting life at Pate's.

Best of luck

[capers123]

Just because a school is held in high regard by many people does not mean that it will be right for your child. All you need to remember is that it is possible to transfer to another school later, though you'd probably need to appeal (though by the time that happens, the school may have less pupils than to start with, so an appeal could be easier).

Don't worry about 'ability' - all the other grammars have plenty of children who are at the top of the ability bands and could have gone to Pate's had they wanted to, so he wouldn't be out of place. Some children just happen to prefer the 'specialisms', the feel of the school or the style of teaching.

But that's if your son decides that Pate's really isn't for him. I hope that he does settle in next term, and enjoys his time there.

[mum23*]

Jsmum I feel for you. You want them to come out all excited but it is school after all isn't it? not PGL Pates does put on a very exciting open eve with the climbing wall, BBQ and all kinds of whizz bang things. The reality of lessons is less exciting but it is a shame they didn't keep it fun on the induction day. I am sure he will get on fine and once he has been there a while you will know whether it suits him. Capers is right though sometimes there is a mismatch - DD1 really has not liked HSFG and looking back it wasn't the right choice for her. Not the schools fault as such. I think she just doesn't like school! Crossing my fingers for FE! DD2 loves her GS and I am totally convinced it was a good match for her. I am hoping DS will enjoy school as much.

DS was feeling a bit ill on the day and is a quiet, slightly nervous type but Tommies did have a fun induction day which he enjoyed. Don't worry about that one day. It will soon be a distant memory when your DS is settled and happy.

[Orson]

capers123 and mum23* are quite right but the bottom line is - there are seven years of secondary education ahead and you really cannot go on the experience of a single induction day. Give plenty of thought to the alternatives too; are they better? You don't want to wonder what might have been in years to come.
Worse case scenario - there is scope to move if necessary.