Starting school is a major event in your child's journey to independence and maturity, and it can be liberating as well as daunting for both of you.

Your choice of a junior or senior school is vital in your child's growth into an adult and their all important exam success.

Certain schools will excel in certain areas, and you will need to consider this when making your choice.

TIP: It's worth investigating all your options. Have you thought about a scholarship or special school?

Stonar school in Atworth, Wiltshire is one of these special schools. It is a school for girls and educates them to a high level.

"We aim for excellence in all that we do from the wide range of academiic subjects through sport, music, art and drama. Stonar girls are happy and effective learners who are conscious of the needs of others."

"Girls leave Stonar confident but not arrogant, with a clear sense of purpose and a love for life. Your daughter's education is exremely important. "

Here are a few all important tips to insure that the first day at school goes smoothly:

Preparation

In the first few days your child will face new places, people, rules and relationships. This can be both exciting and frightening. You can help by familiarising your child with their new environment before school starts:

  • Make at least one visit to the school before your child's first day. If possible, arrange to show your child around their new classroom and meet their teacher. Take a look at where they'll leave their coat and lunchbox and show them the toilets, playground and hall.
  • Talk about each place as you visit it. For some children just looking will be enough. But others, who learn more rapidly through hearing, will benefit from your descriptions.
  • Find out about the daily routine from the teacher and let your child know what to expect. For example, many schools start with reading on the mat, the daily register and so on. Knowing what's coming next will help your child make sense of their day.
  • Lastly, for your own reassurance you could ask the teacher what strategies he or she uses to settle the children.