On Thursday, students across Suffolk will receive their A-Level, BTEC and T-Level results. I would like to wish all students the very best of luck, I know you have worked very hard towards this and I wish you every success as you take the next step in your education or career.
I would also like to wish good luck to all students receiving their GCSE results next week. I hope that you achieve the results you need to progress to the next stage of your education or training.
If any students are unsure what to do after receiving your results, there is a lot of really helpful information at www.thesource.me.uk
If you don’t achieve the results you were hoping for, we encourage you to contact your university or college for a chat. If you have been unable to get the place you wanted at a university or further education college, the regular UCAS clearing process is open until 1 September. The most important thing to remember is that no matter what grades you receive, you have lots of options to choose from.
I’d like to also take a moment to praise the dedication and commitment of teaching staff who deliver the best education and support to our young people, throughout their school careers. Thank you.
In just three weeks, pupils across Suffolk will head back to school after the six-week summer holidays. I hope that families and teaching staff have had an enjoyable, relaxing break and are feeling prepared for the new school year.
The start of a new school year can present challenges for families and schools alike. The prospect of walking back through the school gates after the summer holidays, or indeed for the first time, can be both exciting and daunting.
While many children and young people will be looking forward to going back to school, I know some families may be feeling anxious and that it can feel quite difficult for many children and young people. It is normal to feel anxious, and there is a lot of support out there to help children manage the transition back into school, including a suite of advice for families on the Suffolk County Council website: www.suffolk.gov.uk/children-families-and-learning/wellbeing-in-education.
Our Psychology and therapeutic team, alongside Suffolk Parent Carer Forum have produced these resources. They include advice for families with primary and secondary aged children as well as guidance for families with children who have additional needs and/or anxiety.
I have pulled out five top tips which I think are really helpful to remember:
- Starting conversations about going back to school sooner rather than later will ensure there is time for children to share their worries, think through problems and allow you to find solutions together.
- The things we as parents worry about are not always the same as our children so ask them what they need to feel prepared.
- Taking small steps to try and introduce routines early is a great way to prepare for the return to school. Bedtimes, waking times and mealtimes may well have changed during the holidays so adjusting these gradually to establish a routine to prepare children for the new school term will help them.
- Using visual prompts and timetables and checklists with personalised themes can help with preparation and reduce feelings of worry.
- Planning and knowing what to expect on their first day back. Who will be there and what will happen on their first day.
As well as these resources, InOurPlace offer online courses dedicated to improving emotional health and wellbeing for parents, children, teenagers, adults and grandparents. They have produced a suite of online training and information for parents to support children with the transition to primary or secondary school, called ‘Moving Up’. Families in Suffolk can access online training and resources from InOurPlace for free by visiting www.inourplace.co.uk/movingup and using the access code WOLSEY.
I hope that parents find these resources useful.
I wish children, young people and all school staff the very best as they return to school.
