We know parenting a secondary school student is full of great moments and tricky turns. This page brings together practical support, local services and clear guidance to help you feel informed, connected and confident. If you would like any additional support from UTC please contact our Safeguarding Lead Rachel Miller at safeguardingteam@utcplymouth.org. 

Tip: If you’re unsure who to contact, call the school office first. We’ll help you find the right support quickly. 

 

Articles and guides for parents 

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What to do if my child won’t come to school 

• Stay calm and connect: Listen without judgment; understand what’s behind the reluctance. 

• Identify barriers: Anxiety, peer issues, workload, sleep—all need different solutions. 

• Make a plan with school: Contact the tutor/pastoral team to agree gradual steps back (e.g., late start, reduced timetable for a short period). [Add link to meet the team here] 

• Routine first: Consistent mornings (wake, breakfast, travel plan) reduce decision‑fatigue. 

• Track and review: Note patterns, celebrate small wins, and review weekly with school. 

How can I support my child in and out of school 

• Clear expectations: Agree homework times, device use, and bedtime routines together. 

• Praise effort: Focus on progress and strategies, not just grades. 

• Make space: Quiet study area, materials ready, regular breaks. 

• Stay involved: Read school communications, attend events, and know key dates. 

• Balance: Encourage sport, arts, volunteering—wellbeing fuels achievement. 

IT – how do I keep my child safe online? 

• Online Safety

• Set device rules together: Location (not in bedrooms overnight), time limits, and app privacy settings. 

• Parental controls: Use filters on home Wi‑Fi, app store restrictions, and device‑level screen time tools. 

• Teach digital habits: No sharing personal info; think before posting; report/block; screenshot and tell an adult. 

• Social media basics: Check age guidelines, friend lists, and privacy settings regularly. 

• Stay curious: Ask what they’re using and why—open conversations build trust. 

Talking about mental health 

• Normalise feelings: Stress and low mood happen—talk early. 

• Signals to watch: Sleep changes, withdrawing, irritability, sudden grade drops. 

• School support: Pastoral/SEND teams, counselling referrals, and reasonable adjustments. 

• Community help: Family hubs, GP, and youth services—ask us to guide you. 

Exam stress and revision 

• Plan smart: Short daily sessions, spaced practice, past papers, and active recall. Flashcards work well.  

• Healthy basics: Sleep, movement, hydration and regular meals beat marathon cramming. 

• Break it down: Prioritise topics and set achievable goals. 

• Mock feedback: Use teacher comments to target weak areas. 

Bullying: recognition and action 

• Define it: Repeated, intentional harm (including online). 

• Act quickly: Save evidence, report to school, and agree a plan. 

• Boundaries online: Block/report; review privacy; change routines where needed. 

• Follow up: Check in with your child and school—safety and belonging are the goals. 

SEND support and reasonable adjustments 

• Contact the SEND team: Share strengths, needs, and strategies that work at home. 

• Assess, plan, do, review: Agree clear targets and review cycles. 

• External pathways: Discuss referrals and local offer information for further assessment/support. 

How to get help from us 

• General enquiries: Contact the school office for attendance, Arbor access, trips and permissions. 

• Pastoral: Mentor and Year Team for behaviour, wellbeing, and friendship issues. 

• Safeguarding: DSL and safeguarding team for any safety concerns. 

• SEND: SENDCO for learning support, exam access arrangements, and external referrals. 

• Careers: Appointments for careers guidance, work experience, and apprenticeships.