Richard Hogan: My advice for parents whose children are about to start secondary school

As the countdown to 'back to school' begins, Richard Horgan shares his knowledge as a parent and former teacher to pass on tips

'Give them the courage to go in there and embrace it all, and when they come home, ask them a positive question: What are you enjoying about this new school?' Picture: iStock

Oh, those three little words that used to cause me such distress.

I’d be cycling my bicycle through the streets of Douglas, carefree in the warmth of summer, and then, all over Quinnsworth supermarket, I’d see those three words. I’d glance again to make sure my eyes were not deceiving me. They weren’t: Plastered all over the windows was the sign that said: ‘Back to school’.