From student to mentor: Evan’s back-to-school advice
Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Teachers, older students, there’s always going to be someone who can help you.
These are the words of wisdom that one Wirral school leaver would give to year 7s or other students starting at a new school in September.
Evan is 18, he lives in Bromborough. He recently finished his studies at Wirral Grammar School for Boys, where he was a member of the schools’ ‘Peer Support Group’ – a group of sixth form students whose aim is to help year 7s to find their feet the school community.
Evan said:
We help the new starters settle in when they start in September, but we meet them in the previous June when they’re near the end of year 6.
We do several welcome evenings, with groups of around 10 kids who might have come from a primary school on their own, maybe they have additional needs, or maybe they are just really nervous.
We do activities – make ice creams, play games and give them a look round the school so it’s not so intimidating. It gives the young ones a chance to meet the year 12s so they have that friendly face when they start too.
Once the children start school, the older students keep an eye on them, they check in with them every week and play a supporting role if they are finding things tricky.
Evan said:
We’re like a bigger brother figure or a role model, someone they can go to with their problems who isn’t a teacher. It’s all led by a lady called Miss Smith in school – she’ll say it’s no big deal but it wouldn’t run without her.
Evan says the group is really successful, relying on older students to volunteer. He says he sees lots of children come out of their shell thanks to the support.
At the start of the year, some kids won’t talk, they’re nervous and even upset, maybe they don’t know their way round.
We had a young lad this last year who felt like that at first – he was struggling to make friends as nobody from his primary school had joined our school. We spoke with teachers and eventually he switched form groups and slotted into a friendship group. I remember seeing him towards the end of the year, laughing and playing football in the yard – he was a lot more confident.
Earlier this year, Evan was awarded the Above and Beyond award at the Zillo awards - which is a website for and by local young people.
A determined student, Evan, who recently completed his A levels, is hoping to study Spanish at university. He’d like to go into translating, interpreting or maybe teaching. He recalls his own journey starting secondary school, saying:
When I was in year 7, I had a lot of friends coming from my primary school so I wasn’t too anxious. But the peer support group still checked in with us – they took time out of their day to help us out if we were stuck or lost so it was something I wanted to do when I had the chance.
With a new school year approaching, Evan thinks year 7s should ask for support if they need it. Evan said:
I would say do not be afraid to ask for help. Whether it’s teachers or older students, there’s always going to be someone to help you. There’s no need to be struggling on your own.
And give things a go – our school will be similar to others, there will be a lot of clubs or sports you can get involved in. Find something you like and that can help you make friends.
If your child or someone you know is struggling with back to school jitters, visit Moving up from primary to secondary school - Family Toolbox.
