Joanna Fortune: My 13-year-old is struggling to make friends in secondary school 

"Having friends is important at all stages of our lives, but in adolescence, it carries particular weight in terms of strengthening and enhancing personal growth and identity."

My 13-year-old is struggling to make friends in secondary school. He has a quiet nature, and it took him years to build up a small group of friends in primary school. Unfortunately, they all ended up going to different schools. It would be helpful if he played sports, but he has never shown interest. I have told him it will take time and phoned the school to let the staff know. What else can I do?

The transition from primary to secondary school can be particularly challenging for children. Many are still in transition mode because we are only a few weeks back at school, everything is new, and a period of adjustment is needed.