24/03/2026
With secondary school places recently confirmed, the move to secondary school brings a mix of excitement and worry. And if your child has ADHD, diagnosed or not, you might already be thinking about how they’ll cope.
ADHD at this age doesn’t always look like the “typical” hyperactivity people expect. Your child might be bright and capable but still struggle with things that secondary school suddenly demands a lot of: organisation, remembering instructions, managing homework, sitting through long lessons, or regulating emotions when things feel overwhelming.
What teachers sometimes see as laziness, daydreaming or poor behaviour is often the brain struggling with planning, attention, impulse control and working memory.
Before your child starts secondary school, it can really help to speak with the school about adjustments that can make a big difference, such as:
• Clear written instructions for homework and tasks
• Support with organisation and planning
• Understanding around impulsivity and blurting out
• Opportunities for sho For children with ADHD, this change can bring new challenges that teachers don’t always immediately recognise.
When teachers understand how ADHD actually shows up in the classroom, children are far more likely to succeed.
💬 Parents... are you thinking about how your child will manage the move to secondary school?
