Transition to Middle Phase: How to Support Your Child

The transition to Middle Phase is a significant milestone for children (and parents!), filled with new academic challenges, shifting social dynamics, and growing independence as they move from Year 5 into Year 6. As parents, your support during this time is crucial - but you're not in this alone. BSK is here to guide both you and your child through this exciting, and sometimes overwhelming, journey. Together, we can create a supportive environment that helps your child with academic success, emotional wellbeing, and personal growth.

Here’s how you can support your child at home, and how we support in school during this important transition.

1. Create a Structured Routine

At home, developing a routine is key to helping your child manage their increasing responsibilities. Encourage them to set aside time for homework, extracurricular activities, and relaxation, while ensuring they maintain a consistent bedtime for sufficient rest. When your child is in school, we reinforce these habits by providing structured homework timetables and teaching organisational skills in class. We also offer planning tools like their student planners and using the VLE portal to help your child stay on track. We encourage students to contact teachers via email if they need any help or support.

2. Encourage Open Communication

It's important that your child feels comfortable sharing their thoughts and challenges with you. Regularly check in with your child about their day, classes, and friendships. Ask open-ended questions like, "What was the best part of your day?" or "Is there anything you're finding challenging?". At BSK, we encourage open communication by creating safe spaces where students feel comfortable approaching their teachers or the Middle Phase Leadership Team. We also encourage strong parent-school communication through our Weekly Updates, our Parent Consultation meetings, and we are always available by email or in person to support you and your child. Be present and open so your child feels comfortable sharing. 

3. Promote Organisation Skills

Middle Phase students often juggle multiple homeworks and assignments, which can lead to disorganisation. Teach your child to use their planners, digital calendars, or apps to track assignments and deadlines. Encourage them to organise their study space, so it’s conducive to focused learning. Being organised will help them stay on top of their workload and reduce stress.

At BSK, we teach organisational skills through lessons and provide resources like planners and digital learning platforms where students can track assignments. Tutors also regularly check in with students to ensure they are staying on top of their homework and assessments. 

4. Stay Involved in School Life

While Middle Phase students crave more independence, parental involvement is still essential. Attend parent-teacher meetings, school events, and stay informed about school activities and your child's progress. Engaging with teachers and school staff shows your child that you are invested in their education, which can motivate them to stay engaged as well. We provide many opportunities for parental involvement, from "Meet the Teacher" events to parent workshops and school functions. By staying connected with us, we can work together to ensure your child’s success.

5. Encourage Extracurricular Activities

The Middle Phase is a great time for children to explore their interests and develop new skills. Encourage your child to join clubs, sports teams, or other extracurricular activities. Not only will this help them build friendships, but it will also boost their confidence and give them a sense of belonging. At BSK we offer a wide range of extracurricular opportunities, from sports to clubs and arts programs. We help students find activities that align with their interests, encouraging them to step out of their comfort zones and develop new skills. Your support at home, in encouraging them to try new things and stay committed to these activities, complements our efforts to help them grow both academically and socially.

6. Foster Independence

While it’s natural to want to guide your child through every obstacle, the Middle Phase is a time for them to develop independence. Allow them to solve problems on their own, such as handling minor conflicts with peers or managing their assignments. Step in when necessary, but encourage them to take responsibility for their actions and decisions.

We promote independence in the classroom by giving students more autonomy over their work. Student-led projects, leadership opportunities, and self-assessment tasks all build a sense of responsibility. Teachers are there to guide, but we also encourage students to take ownership of their learning, reinforcing what you are teaching them at home about self-reliance.

7. Set Realistic Expectations

Your child is learning to balance more responsibilities, and it’s normal for them to stumble along the way. Avoid putting too much pressure on academic performance or extracurricular achievements. Instead, focus on effort, resilience, and progress. Praise their hard work and remind them that learning from mistakes is part of the journey.

At school, we emphasise progress and growth over perfection. Our reporting system recognises effort and improvement as well as attainment, and teachers regularly provide feedback to help students understand where they excel and where they can grow. By focusing on the process of learning rather than just outcomes, we help students build confidence and resilience. Your support in celebrating their progress, rather than only focusing on grades, reinforces this positive message at home.

8. Celebrate Milestones

Recognise your child’s achievements, both big and small. Whether it’s a good grade, making a new friend, or showing responsibility at home, celebrating these moments will boost their confidence and keep them motivated as they adjust to middle school.

We celebrate student successes at school through Housepoints, awards assemblies, recognition programs, and positive reinforcement in the classroom. Whether it’s a high score on a test, an improvement in effort, or participation in an extracurricular activity, we acknowledge each milestone. Working together, we can ensure that your child feels valued and supported in both their academic and personal growth.