Research reveals the top worries for parents when children start school, including bullying and making friends

THE TOP worries parents have when their children start secondary school include bullying, whether they’ll make friends – and peer pressure.

A poll of 1,000 UK parents of children aged nine to 16 revealed the 30 main anxieties mums and dads share at this important transition.

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The poll suggested that parents are mainly concerned about bullying and their kids making friends[/caption]

They include them walking to school alone, not always knowing where they are or what they are doing, school safety and their child taking the bus alone.

Other concerns were their offspring accidentally getting into trouble, the volume of homework and the influence of older pupils.

The survey, commissioned by location sharing app Life360, showed 66 per cent of parents were worried about their child starting secondary school.

While 53 per cent reported being more anxious about their child being less safe than they were at primary school.

Parenting expert Sue Atkins said: “The move up to secondary school can be a daunting time – not just for the kids themselves but for parents too.

“If you’re feeling worried about your child starting secondary school, be sure to remain positive and optimistic when speaking about the move.

“Have an open and honest chat with your child about any concerns they might be having and reassure them that feeling anxious is totally natural – everyone will be feeling this way.”

The study also found 49 per cent of parents of older children, already at secondary school, said they found it hard to judge what rules to put in place.

And 34 per cent agreed that after their child started big school, trusting them to be where they say they will be was the biggest challenge.

However, they worried less about bullying after the child had started.

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And they also became less concerned about how their child would cope in a stricter behaviour system than they may have been used to at primary school.

But on the other hand, after a term or so in secondary school, parents are actually slightly more likely to stress about whether their child will make friends.

Going to secondary school also does not have a significant impact on when parents believe kids should get their own mobile phone – with both groups suggesting it should be around the age of 10.

Almost six in 10 (58 per cent) parents said they will be monitoring their child’s location via a mobile phone by the time they start secondary school.

This includes 32 per cent who already did this when they were at primary school.

David Rice, International GM and CSO for Life360, added: “Parents often worry more than children when it comes to making the move to secondary school.

“Location-sharing apps can provide parents with a sense of security and give them peace of mind by allowing them to monitor their child’s location in real-time, especially in emergency situations.

“In turn, this also allows kids to enjoy the new-found freedom that comes with starting secondary school.”

To help kids transition to their new school, 39 per cent suggest talking to them about their own experiences, according to the OnePoll.com figures.

Nearly half (47 per cent) make sure to tell their kids what to do if they’re being bullied, and 30 per cent will make sure their bag and school gear is up to scrutiny from their peers.