Reepham High School & College (RHSC) works hard to calm these fears with its “ebuddies” programme. This allows Year 6 pupils to chat online to Year 7 pupils at RHSC about what it’s really like starting high school. The Year 7 ebuddies also visit the primary schools to meet the Year 6s to get to know them face to face.
 
All Year 6 children have an induction visit to high school during their last primary school term. On this day, the Year 7 ebuddies provide vital support and reassurance: they act as guides and can often answer questions that the younger pupils may feel are too trivial to ask a teacher. This is continued in September when the new Year 7s start at RHSC.
 
This scheme goes a long way to dispel the fears that children naturally feel about leaving the security of their village school. It also gives the high school students who befriend them an opportunity to demonstrate leadership and to grow in confidence.
 
Some of the new Year 7s and their ebuddies, now in Year 8, will be on hand on the school’s open evening on Thursday 2 October to answer questions about the programme and to tell visitors about the school.
 
The school is open from 6.30 pm and all are welcome to come and take part in an evening of information and fun activities designed to show the community and prospective students what their high school has to offer.
 
Mrs Barley and Ms Reid, Heads of Year 7, RHSC