The only way is up!

The move to secondary school at 11-years-old is one of the most momentous points of a child's life, and it can be a frightening experience for them (and their parents).

Few of us as adults are unable to instantly recall our feelings and experiences of that first day in 'big school'; suddenly plunged from being a big fish in a small pond to being a minnow in a strange ocean of unknown children, adults and routine.

For children from small rural and Church of England primary schools, which can have as few as 50 children and where everyone knows everyone, the move to a large, secular secondary can seem even more frightening.

For the children, everything from finding their classrooms and knowing the lunchtime routine to making friends, fending off bullies and homework is new.

For the parents, watching from the sidelines, there is also a lot to get used to: less contact with and knowledge of the school; new names and faces and friends they've never heard of before; worries about bullies and drugs; more homework!

And as with so many things, the anticipation of the unknown is often as stressful, or more so, than the actual event.

Recognising the rising anxiety levels of pupils and parents, most schools are now very pro-active in helping to smooth the transition process. Many not only put a great deal of effort into celebrating the value and importance of the year-sixes in their current community, but also into forging links with the local secondary schools and arranging visits, talks, and other events.

Christian organisations, too, are providing support.

The REInspired project in Earley works with schools in the region to support RE lessons throughout the year. This summer they have also organised a morning for school leavers of all primary schools in the area, to allow them to meet their new classmates and teachers.

Pete Stone, project worker for REInspired, said: 'Our vision is that we will work with children from reception to year 13, so that we can help children too with this transition.'

Children are shown a clip from TV programme Top Gear, where the presenters are set a challenge to turn a car into a boat and sail it across a lake. 'We tell the children they are like the car, they are going through a big change, but they are still fundamentally themselves,' said Pete.

In Thatcham, Berks, clergy are working closely with teachers. As well as the usual regular visits by clergy to the schools, a special year six day at Douai Abbey is organised by Churches Together in Thatcham.

The Revd Peter Jarvis of St Mary's Church explained: 'All year six pupils are brought by coach to the Abbey for a morning of art and craft, games, music and drama followed by a special leavers' service in the afternoon, also attended by head teachers, governors and others.

'Some of the activities relate to endings and new beginnings, and some are just sheer fun. The idea is that the children get to meet one another, make new friendships and celebrate not just their time at their primary school but also what is to come.'

Feedback from the children has been positive with many saying that they enjoyed meeting new people and felt more prepared for the move.

In addition Mr Jarvis says his regular involvement with year six classes and at the local secondary school means that pupils have a familiar face following them through the transition, which is appreciated by children.

Year six children at 36 primary schools in and around Milton Keynes can look forward to a visit from the MOUSE team to help smooth their journey into 'big' school in September.

Katy Nenadovic of the Bridgebuilder Trust (a faith-based educational charity) explains that MOUSE stands for 'Moving On Up Schools Education', and involves a group of specially trained teenagers who descend on local schools to present a 'roadshow-style' session of drama, personal experience and discussion about starting secondary school.

In its eighth year now, MOUSE has become an important and welcomed resource for schools wanting to ensure a smooth transition for their pupils.

Katy told the DOOR: 'Quite often the teenagers going into the school are from the secondary that many of the pupils will be going up to, so it's great for them to talk to someone who has already been there and done that and can answer their questions with real knowledge.'

Each year the presentations take a Bible figure and look at the trials and tribulations of their life and how they coped with them, with God's help.

Katy says: 'The Christian element is important, helping the children realise that if they have worries or problems before or when they begin their new school there are adults they can go to who can help, but also they can pray..'

Each child gets a copy of Scripture Union's 'It's Your Move' for further advice and information.

Scripture Union also runs a three-day 'It's Your Move' holiday that is open to all primary school leavers in the summer holidays.

The holidays, in Buckinghamshire (with the Bridgebuilder Trust) and Berkshire combine all the fun, activity and spiritual focus of a normal holiday, with additional focus on exploring and chatting about all the feelings and issues involved in leaving primary/middle school.

Information from Scripture Union says: 'Take time to remember all the good (and bad!) of school left behind and prepare to face the new challenges of moving on and how Jesus can help you.'

This year the dates of the holidays are: 22-24 July in Buckinghamshire and 20-23 August in Berkshire, price £52. Details are on the Scripture Union website www.scriptureunion.org.uk

10 Tips for helping your child settle at secondary school 1.Find out which other children from your primary school are going on to the same secondary and arrange for them to travel together on the first day. If there's time in the summer holidays you could organise a get-together/day out to keep them in touch. 2. Ask at school and church or youth group whether any adults already known to the children are regular visitors to your child's secondary school, and will be a familiar face for your child to look out for. 3. If your child will be travelling by bus, have a dry run before term starts. Also agree what they should do if they miss the bus home.  Emergency 'phone numbers in a blazer pocket can be reassuring and useful! 4. Before term starts talk through with your child who they think they would be able to talk to if they had a problem at school. 5. Check out holiday clubs that would introduce your child to others going to the same secondary school, or already there. 5. Ask your church to pray individually and as a congregation for local children moving up. 6. Don't expect every day to be a good day once school starts. Just listening will be a great support and tell you a great deal. 7. As well as welcoming new friends home (so that you, as well as your child can get to know them better), ask whether he/she wants to meet up with old primary school friends who went to different schools. The familiarity can be relaxing and reassuring. 8. Agreeing a routine for homework can save lots of argument and last minute panics. 9. Know who you can talk to at school if you have any worries. 10. Don't offload your own expectations and worries onto your child. They will have their own experience.

The Door has 10 copies of Its Your Move to give away. To win, email or post your name and address to Book Draw, Diocesan Church House North Hinksey Lane, Oxford OX2 0NB by August 15.