Kidora Parent Hub

Practical guides, local activities, money-saving advice and useful resources for UK parents.

Select a topic from the menu to get started.

Primary School

Primary School Guide

Primary school is a long stage of childhood, covering major changes in learning, friendships, confidence and independence.

Children may begin primary school needing help with coats, lunch boxes and toileting, then leave with growing responsibility for homework, friendships, clubs and preparing for secondary school.

This UK guide explains how parents can support school life without creating unnecessary pressure.

How to Use This Guide

This page summarises practical family routines and links to official education information. It does not provide legal, clinical or educational assessment and does not replace the school, local authority, healthcare team or nation-specific SEND service.

Curriculum, attendance, assessment, complaints and additional-needs systems differ across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Additional Official UK School Links

Primary Education Across the UK

Primary education is organised differently across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Differences may include:

Year-group names
Starting age
Curriculum
Assessment
School holidays
Additional learning support

Use the school’s own information and the relevant education authority for your part of the UK.

Official Primary Education Information

Curriculum and school systems differ across the UK. Use the relevant official source:

Understand the School Day

Ask about:

Start and finish times
Registration
Breaks
Lunch
PE days
Assemblies
Clubs
Collection arrangements

Keep a simple weekly timetable at home if several items need remembering.

Build a Reliable Morning Routine

A calm morning routine may include:

Waking at a consistent time
Getting dressed
Eating breakfast
Brushing teeth
Checking bags
Leaving with enough travel time

Prepare the Night Before

Before bed, check:

Uniform
PE kit
Book bag
Homework
Water bottle
Lunch
Letters or forms

For England, use the GOV.UK school attendance and absence guidance. Parents elsewhere in the UK should use their devolved-government and school attendance guidance.

Attendance

Attendance rules and enforcement differ across the four UK nations. Report absence through the school’s procedure and check the applicable official guidance before arranging term-time travel or assuming an absence will be authorised.

Contact the school early when health, SEND, anxiety, bullying, transport, bereavement or family circumstances are affecting attendance. Ask for a support meeting and an agreed plan.

This page does not provide legal advice or decide whether an absence is authorised.

Punctuality

Repeated lateness can cause children to miss:

Registration
Morning instructions
Early lessons
Settling time

Speak to the school if transport, caring responsibilities or another difficulty is causing repeated lateness.

The Primary Curriculum

Primary pupils may study:

English or literacy
Mathematics or numeracy
Science
History
Geography
Art and design
Music
Computing or digital learning
Physical education
Religious education or equivalent provision
Personal, social and health education

Curriculum names and requirements vary by nation.

Support Learning Without Recreating School at Home

Useful home support includes:

Reading together
Talking about the day
Practising number skills in everyday life
Visiting libraries and museums
Encouraging questions
Supporting homework calmly

Reading

Regular reading can support:

Vocabulary
Comprehension
Confidence
General knowledge
Imagination

Reading can include school books, library books, comics, magazines, recipes and factual books.

Keep Reading Positive

Try to:

Keep sessions short when the child is tired
Take turns reading
Discuss pictures and meaning
Stop before frustration becomes overwhelming
Celebrate effort rather than speed

Phonics

Schools may use a structured phonics programme to teach early reading.

Ask the school:

Which programme it uses
How sounds are pronounced
How home reading books are selected
How parents can support without confusing the method

Writing

Writing develops through:

Speaking and vocabulary
Reading
Fine motor control
Spelling
Sentence structure
Practice

Encourage writing through cards, lists, notes, stories and labels rather than only worksheets.

Handwriting

Support handwriting with:

Comfortable pencil grip
Correct sitting position
Short practice
Drawing and colouring
Activities that build hand strength

Mathematics

Everyday maths practice can include:

Counting money
Measuring ingredients
Reading clocks
Comparing prices
Sharing food equally
Working out change

Homework

Homework expectations vary by school and age.

Parents can help by:

Choosing a regular time
Providing a quiet space
Breaking tasks into steps
Encouraging independence
Stopping when frustration becomes unproductive

Do Not Complete Homework for the Child

Teachers need to see what the child can do independently.

Parents can explain instructions, prompt and encourage, but the work should remain the child’s own.

When Homework Is Causing Distress

Speak to the teacher if:

Homework regularly takes far longer than expected
The child does not understand the task
It causes significant anxiety
There are repeated tears or conflict
Additional needs may be affecting completion

Tests and Assessments

Primary schools use different forms of assessment.

These may include:

Teacher assessment
Classwork
Reading checks
Spelling or multiplication checks
National assessments

Assessment systems differ across the UK.

Avoid Passing Adult Anxiety to the Child

Before assessments:

Keep routines normal
Prioritise sleep
Offer breakfast
Avoid excessive revision
Remind the child that tests do not define them

Parents’ Evenings

Useful questions include:

What is going well?
What should we practise at home?
How is my child managing socially?
Are there any concerns?
What is the next learning goal?

School Reports

Read reports for:

Progress
Effort
Attendance
Strengths
Areas for development
Teacher comments

Ask for clarification if wording is unclear.

Communication with School

Schools may use:

Email
Apps
Text messages
Paper letters
Parent portals

Check messages regularly so deadlines and payments are not missed.

When to Contact the Teacher

Contact the teacher about:

Learning concerns
Friendship difficulties
Changes at home
Medical issues
Repeated missing belongings
Behaviour changes

Request a proper appointment for complex matters rather than discussing them during a busy drop-off.

Friendships

Primary-school friendships can change frequently.

Children may:

Move between groups
Have disagreements
Feel excluded occasionally
Need help repairing friendships

Help Children Manage Conflict

Teach simple phrases such as:

“Please stop.”
“Can I have a turn?”
“I did not like that.”
“Can we start again?”

Bullying

Bullying usually involves repeated, targeted behaviour and a power imbalance.

Speak to the school if there is a pattern of:

Threats
Physical harm
Deliberate exclusion
Name-calling
Online harassment
Fear of attending school

Keep a Factual Record

When raising concerns, record:

Dates
What happened
Who was involved
What the child reported
What the school said
Agreed next steps

Behaviour

School behaviour may be influenced by:

Tiredness
Learning difficulty
Friendship problems
Sensory needs
Anxiety
Changes at home
Unmet communication needs

Use the School Behaviour Policy

Read how the school handles:

Rewards
Sanctions
Suspensions
Bullying
Online behaviour
Physical intervention

The GOV.UK SEND guide explains support in England. Wales uses additional learning needs terminology, while Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own systems.

Special Educational Needs and Disabilities

Speak to the class teacher and SENCO or equivalent lead if you are concerned about:

Reading
Writing
Maths
Attention
Speech and language
Social communication
Sensory needs
Physical access

Ask What Support Is Already in Place

Useful questions include:

What has the school observed?
What support is being provided?
How will progress be reviewed?
What can we do at home?
Is outside professional input needed?

Medical Needs at School

Tell the school about:

Asthma
Allergies
Epilepsy
Diabetes
Regular medication
Emergency treatment plans

Keep medication and plans updated.

Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing

Changes in mood, sleep, behaviour, appetite, physical complaints, friendships or attendance can have many possible causes. This page cannot diagnose anxiety, depression or another condition.

Speak to the school, GP, school nurse or an appropriate local service when a change is persistent, severe, affects daily life or causes concern.

Use the NHS children and young people’s mental health information. Seek urgent help where a child may harm themselves or another person, and call 999 for immediate danger.

Difficulty Attending School

A child may struggle to attend for many reasons, including health, additional needs, bullying, learning difficulty, sensory demands, friendships, separation or another source of distress.

Do not assume the reason or describe the child as simply defiant. Record when difficulties occur, speak to the child calmly and contact the school early.

A GP or another professional may need to assess health or mental health concerns. The school and local authority can explain the attendance and support process in the relevant UK nation.

Work with the School Early

Agree a plan covering:

Morning arrival
A trusted adult
A safe space
Reduced demands where appropriate
Regular review

School Meals

Check:

Menus
Meal prices
Free school meal eligibility
Allergy arrangements
Dietary requirements

Packed Lunches

For packed lunches:

Follow the school policy
Use a labelled lunch box
Use suitable portions
Include a drink
Use a cool pack where needed

School Uniform

Read the current uniform policy before buying.

Check:

Compulsory branded items
Generic alternatives
PE kit
Footwear
Jewellery rules
Hair and appearance rules

Label Belongings

Label:

Uniform
Coats
PE kits
Water bottles
Lunch boxes
Book bags

For current support in England, check GOV.UK free school meal information. Eligibility and schemes differ across the UK.

School Costs

Primary-school costs may include:

Uniform
Trips
Clubs
Photographs
Fundraising
Wraparound care
Holiday activities

Ask About Financial Support

Support may be available through:

The school
The local council
Uniform schemes
Free school meals
Hardship funds
Charities

Trips and Voluntary Contributions

Schools should explain:

Whether payment is voluntary
What the trip includes
What happens if insufficient funds are raised
Whether support is available

Clubs and Activities

Clubs can support:

Confidence
Friendships
Physical activity
Creativity
New interests

Avoid overscheduling children who are already tired.

Wraparound Care

Breakfast clubs and after-school care may have:

Waiting lists
Separate fees
Booking deadlines
Late collection charges
Different holiday arrangements

Parents can use the UK government online-safety guidance for parents and carers and the school’s own safeguarding policy.

Online Safety

Schools and families should use age-appropriate settings, discuss online contact and purchases, and make it easy for a child to report upsetting content or behaviour.

Check:

Privacy settings
Parental controls
In-game chat
Spending controls
Location sharing
Livestreaming and image sharing

Use the NSPCC online-safety guidance. Contact the school or police where a child may be at risk, and call 999 for immediate danger.

Set Basic Online Rules

Teach children to:

Keep personal information private
Tell an adult about upsetting content
Use age-appropriate services
Ask before downloading
Be respectful online

School Safeguarding

Parents should know:

Who the designated safeguarding lead is
How to report a concern
How collection arrangements work
How online safety is taught
How photographs are managed

Helping Children Become Independent

Useful responsibilities include:

Packing a book bag
Remembering a water bottle
Putting dirty uniform in the laundry
Checking the timetable
Completing small homework tasks

Do Not Rescue Every Forgotten Item

Where safe and reasonable, natural consequences can help children learn responsibility.

Important medical, safety or weather-related items should still be prioritised.

Preparing for Secondary School

In the later primary years, support:

Organisation
Independent reading
Time management
Travel skills
Friendship resilience
Online safety

Buying Primary-School Items Preloved

Suitable preloved items may include:

Uniform
PE kit
Coats
Books
School bags
Wellies
Sports equipment

Check Preloved Items Carefully

Before buying, check:

School policy
Current logo
Exact size
Condition
Name labels
Fastenings

Primary-School Items on Kidora

Kidora is a UK-only marketplace where parents can buy and sell new and preloved baby and children’s items.

Families may find school uniform, PE kits, coats, books, bags, wellies, desks and other useful items. Confirm the school policy, dimensions, age suitability, condition, completeness and official recalls where relevant.

Sellers pay no selling fees and keep 100% of the item sale price. Buyers pay a mandatory Buyer Protection fee on paid purchases, shown before checkout.

Suitable items can be listed at £0 as FREE rather than being thrown away, helping another local family. FREE listings are collection-only and do not include a Buyer Protection fee.

Kidora does not provide educational, SEND or school-policy advice and does not certify product safety.

A Primary School Checklist

Keep mornings predictable
Check school messages regularly
Read together
Support homework without taking over
Attend parents’ evenings
Raise concerns early
Check support for SEND or medical needs
Monitor friendships and wellbeing
Plan for school costs
Encourage age-appropriate independence

Frequently Asked Questions

How much homework should a primary-school child have?

It varies by school and age. Speak to the teacher if work regularly takes much longer than expected or causes significant distress.

What should I do if my child is being bullied?

Keep a factual record, contact the school and ask what action will be taken under its behaviour and anti-bullying policies.

How can I support reading at home?

Read regularly, keep sessions positive, discuss meaning and include books that match the child’s interests.

Who should I contact about learning difficulties?

Start with the class teacher and the school’s SENCO or equivalent additional-learning-needs lead.

Can primary-school items be bought preloved?

Yes. Uniform, PE kit, books and bags can be good-value preloved purchases when they meet the school policy and are in suitable condition.