Year 7 is a big transition year for our children: a new school, new friends, a different teacher for every subject and more responsibility. This year, habits matter more than grades.
This guide draws on years of seminars and one-to-one guidance with families and students across England. Inside you will find:
- What universities and employers will look for years from now, and how that starts in Year 7
- 12 core skills to develop
- Activities to do at school, at home and beyond
- How to use Unifrog, IXL and free learning platforms
- Why speaking more than one language matters (including GCSE qualifications in home languages)
- Month-by-month checklist: three small steps each month, a video/podcast suggestion, and one English book plus one in your home language
This guide is a living document. It will be updated regularly based on your questions and suggestions. If there's something you'd like added, it may appear in the next version.
We'd love to hear your questions and comments
Log in to leave a comment below this post. For example:
- Which book did you read this month, and what did your child think of it?
- Which activity or club caught your child's interest?
- Is anything in the guide unclear or missing?
We'll answer questions on this page as soon as we can, so other families with the same question can benefit too.
Please don't share your child's name, school or other personal details in the comments.
Download the Year 7 family guide
If your school doesn't provide Unifrog, or you're interested in an IXL membership, you can request it from UKER.