The year 7 dip explained: What is it and how can you help your child avoid it?

Do you have a year 7 student? Learn more about the infamous year 7 dip and discover seven teacher-approved tips to support your child through it.

Introduction

Starting at secondary school is a huge milestone for your child. During this time, they usually navigate a new building, new teachers, new classmates, new subjects and new expectations. Parents may notice these changes begin to take a toll on their child in the form of a dip in academic performance -  this is what is known as the year 7 dip. 

What is the year 7 dip?

The year 7 dip is a pattern that we teachers see every year. A new cohort excitedly arrives at secondary school, but then quietly begins to disengage, leading to a decline in academic progress. 

What causes the year 7 dip?

It is widely accepted that the transition from primary to secondary school is the key issue that leads to the year 7 dip. Many children find the larger and busier environment of a secondary school to be daunting. This, combined with a more complex academic timetable, increased volumes of homework, and new, changing social dynamics, asks a lot of our young people.

Signs your child may be falling into the year 7 dip

Every child is different, but some key signs your child is struggling in year 7 include:

• Losing interest in subjects that they previously enjoyed

• Avoiding homework or putting in less effort than they usually would

• Complaining that school is too difficult

• Heightened emotions: coming home stressed, anxious, extremely tired, or being unusually quiet

• Becoming hesitant to attend school or asking to stay off sick more than usual

• Withdrawing socially from their classmates

Noticing one or more of these signs in your year 7 learner could indicate they are experiencing the effects of the year 7 dip. While these signs may sound worrying, I assure you that with a little support, learners can recover and get back on track!

How to support your child in year 7 and avoid the dip

1. Stay involved and engaged

Showing an interest goes a long way with year 7 students (even if they give the impression otherwise). Set aside time with them to chat about their day, find out what they are learning about, and bring up anything that is worrying them. With my own children, I find that around dinner time or just before bedtime is best!

2. Help children develop their organisational skills

As with any other skill, organisation is something which must be learned. Give your child a diary or homework planner and support them with how to use it, alongside a weekly schedule. You can also encourage them to be responsible for their own things by having them pack their own school bags, PE kits, and lunches. 

3. Encourage participation in extracurricular activities

After-school clubs are one of the best ways to help children unwind and encourage them to have fun at school, so I always highly recommend these to year 7 parents! Attending clubs which are aligned with their interests helps them to create new friendships and discover a sense of belonging in their new school.

4. Support your child with a structured routine

Having a routine or schedule is a big help to year 7 learners. With so much change happening, it’s common for children to feel overwhelmed. Creating a routine or set schedule with your child can help them feel a little more in control and help prevent them from disengaging with their school work.

5. Reach out to teachers early on

If you feel your child is struggling with the year 7 dip, it is important to reach out to teachers early on to share your concerns. Your child’s teachers can then monitor progress and explore any avenues for support that can be offered in school.  

6. Praise effort, not just results

Understanding that making mistakes is part of the learning process fosters resilience and shows your child that the effort they put in is more important than the immediate result. 

For example, praise how well your child persevered at a difficult maths question, even if they did not reach the correct answer. This instils a positive attitude towards learning, which will benefit your child not only through the year 7 dip, but also as they progress through secondary school. 

7. Try private tuition for year 7 students

Arranging targeted support early on in year 7 can make a huge difference to your child’s success. Birchwood tutors are skilled in crafting tailored learning programmes for individual learners to help them achieve their academic goals.

The world class tuition offered by Birchwood Tutors can help your child boost their confidence across key subjects, fill knowledge gaps, and generally develop their skills essential for future endeavours. All of these go a long way in supporting your child through the year 7 dip.

When is the right time to seek extra support?

While the year 7 dip is usually short-lived, getting extra support for your child early on is the right decision. If your child is becoming overly anxious, stressed, or disconnected, then it is something to seriously consider.

Private tuition for year 7 students is an excellent option at this stage. Our Birchwood tutors are experienced in tailoring programmes to combat the individual struggles that learners face. We also aim to build confidence and bring joy back to learning for our students to help them overcome the year 7 dip!

If you would like to discuss how a tailored Birchwood tutoring programme can support your year 7 student, contact us now to learn more.