Girl with a rainbow decorated cookie
- Go to as many information events as you can, nothing beats a first impression and your gut instinct
- Although other parent’s views may be valid remember what may be right for their child might not be for your child
- Don’t think that siblings should both attend the same school – what works well for one might not be right for the other
- “Hang out” at the school – go to their school fair or a nursery group and take your child with you to make it feel familiar for them
- Location, location, location – you will be making the journey to school at least twice a day so think carefully about journey times and the effects these could have on you and your child
- Put a call in to the Special Educational Needs Coordinator or Inclusion Manager and ask if they have experience of teaching other adopted or looked after children
- Be prepared to know more than them and share that knowledge. You know your child and their possible issues better than anyone so smooth the transition by sharing as much of this knowledge as possible before they even start
- How does the school feel to you? Cosy and welcoming or huge and daunting? Adopted children often feel more at home in smaller environments so bear this in mind
For more advice on choosing the right school, check out this fantastic blog from Adoption UK
If your children are already in school, here’s some ideas to help them thrive…
- Celebrate even the smallest successes and achievements
- Hold regular meetings with the school and teachers to keep an eye on progress and any behaviours that may be bubbling. Ask your adoption support provider to attend with you, to offer advice with strategies
- Ask the school to make you aware of any triggering topics, that may be looked at ie family trees, Christmas plays
- Provide the school with resources you have read to help them understand how your child sees the world. With this in mind, here are two brilliant guides to help to ensure your child is thriving at school…
