Starting year 7 can be a daunting idea for any prospective student. It is a new learning environment, new teachers and many are faced with the task of having to make new friends. As the new term began a few weeks ago, I decided to ask Ben Astridge, age 11, to share his secondary school experience so far and any tips he has on how to navigate it.

"What do you think is the biggest difference between primary school and secondary school that you have noticed so far?"

“Adjusting to a new learning environment or to new teachers, new classrooms and mainly the layout of the school. My primary school was a one story building with one class per year. Now we have four or five multi-story buildings with around six classes per year, so around 180 people.”

"Were you excited to start secondary school?"

”I actually was quite excited. I did like my primary school, but I wanted to take that step-up and I didn’t really think the change would be that big and it wasn’t. It really didn’t feel that different from Year 6. It felt quite relaxed.”

"What subjects were you most looking forward to learning about in school?"

”I was mostly interested in Spanish because I already speak French and English and would like to learn another. History as well as Geography. I also enjoy English."

"What subject do you enjoy the most and why?"

”I love my Geography teacher. She is so nice. Also I would consider myself to be quite good at Geography and Geopolitics. We played Kahoot for the first time in class today. I won.”

"I am very happy you finally got to experience a Kahoot. Now, you have told us how much you like your current school but, if there was something that you could change about it what would it be?"

“Most likely the strict, uniform rules. We aren't allowed to take off our blazers; we must wear them all the time. We are only allowed to take off our blazers when the temperature goes over exactly 26.8°C!”

"What would you consider your proudest moment in school?"

”Getting my SATs results, as I was really proud of all of them!”

"What’s one piece of advice that you would give to the next generation of year seven students?"

”Don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and to try new things. You have to make new friends and that is the best way to do it.”