LHM Youth Lifestyle Information – Secondary School

As you embark on your life in secondary school with half a working heart you start to take more responsibility for your journey. Here are some topics that may make that a little journey a little smoother.

Speaking up for yourself

As you grow older you will meet situations where you may have to speak up for yourself as a young person with half a working heart. It might be when you transfer to adult services in hospital, plan for and sit your GCSE’s or even life after school. Each of these journeys will prove more successful and easier if you are able to advocate for yourself.

Remember you know your heart and your capabilities better than anyone so speaking up for yourself is really important. However, the way that you do this is important too.

Approaching this with a positive frame of mind in a calm way will get you better results.

What does advocating for yourself mean?

Advocating for yourself means that you speak for yourself and ask for what you need in a way that is direct and understandable, whilst still respectful of others.

This can be quite hard to do if you feel like you don’t have that much confidence, but finding a way to do this for yourself now in school will make it easier when it comes to advocating for yourself in further education and work.

If you think your needs aren’t being met, or maybe you feel the school aren’t including you in trips etc that you are able to attend it’s okay to ask to speak to someone. That someone may be your form tutor, pastoral team or SENCO worker (Special Education Needs Co-ordinator). Sitting down and working with these members of staff in a positive way will really help to build relationships and create support networks to make your school life one that you both enjoy and do your best in.

Sometimes starting secondary school can be daunting as its different to junior. Youth member Ben shares his experience below.

'When I went to secondary school on the first day, I mostly stuck to myself but met some new people and on the second day I made friendships with many people. It was very stressful having to make sure to arrive at lessons on time and be the best that I could be but with some perseverance I got through and ended up becoming more comfortable with the school.
My medication was what I was mostly worried about because every lunchtime I had to go to an area of the school to get my medicine. Unfortunately, I ended up choosing to take it straight away once I had gotten home. I would advise to just not be worried about medication and to just treat it just as important as getting lunch’

‘Moving up to secondary school is a hard task but requires the strongest will. You may find it difficult remembering where your lessons are around the school but eventually will know them like the back of your hand. You may think you will have difficulty moving around the school between lessons, but schools have plans like a lift pass that allows you to use the school lift.
If you are worried about being bullied like I was just tell your parents who will sort it out with the school so you won’t have to worry about them anymore.'

GCSE’s when you have half a working heart?

We know that you don’t usually start thinking about your GCSE’s until you’re in year 9, but when you have half a working heart it’s a good idea to start thinking and talking to the school a little bit earlier than that to get the best results possible for you.

We know that the exam season can be quite stressful so trying to sort the following before it all begins will help it become a bit smoother for you.

Things to think about.

How many subjects are taking? You are all individuals so there is no right or wrong number of subjects to take. As an individual its best to think about the amount of coursework, practical work, studying and time each subject needs.

Are you able to do more than the core subjects? Is one additional option the best bet for you or are you confident that you can excel with a full timetable and choice list? Have a chat with your school and/or SENCO to see what can be done to help you with this.

Does your lack of energy affect your concentration? Is this something impacting your lessons and revision? The sooner you identify this the quicker the school and you can work together to create a support plan.

What times are your exams? As we mentioned above your lack of energy can affect your concentration. Do you find that you are more tired in the morning or afternoon? Can your exams be moved around to account for this or do you need to come up with a plan to get more spoons of energy?

To find out about spoons of energy and the LHM Energy Project click HERE.

What subjects are best for you? Are you physically able to take part in the practical side of the subjects you’re taking? If not are school able to make allowances for this? If they are not, it might be that a different subject is better for you.

The sooner you start to look at these points the better you will feel about your exams, and you may see a better result too.

One of our youth members Colbie-Kate out together some exam and revision tips that you may find useful.

INSERT TIPS INFOGRAPHIC

Extra support in Secondary School

There are a many ways extra support can help at school/college and even uni. The best way to get the most of this is to sit with your SENCO/Pastoral worker and work out what would work for you vs what your school can realistically provide. You could even make sure they are in your Heath Care Plan.

Here are a few examples:

  • Lift passes
  • Leaving class 5 mins earlier to aid the journey to your next lesson
  • Exam support – i.e. extra time, independent area and a TA’s support
  • Time out cards
  • Safe place to go when energy levels drop
  • Ability to have a healthy snack when your energy levels drop
  • Keeping warm in class if it is a cold winter by keeping gloves, scarf on etc

These options could help so start that positive conversation with your school staff.

Attendance when you have half a working heart

We know that when you have half a working heart you attend multiple hospital appointments, surgeries and check-ups throughout the year, and this can impact your school attendance record. You might find that you get poorly throughout the year too or even get exhausted with low energy levels so can’t make it in. Unfortunately, this might prevent you from receiving awards and rewards for good attendance.

We know this can affect your moral in a negative way but remember we at Little Hears Matter want to celebrate ALL of your successes so keep us informed and remember we have the Braveheart awards.

BRAVEHEART AWARD LINK

It might be an idea to link your SENCO or school to your cardiac team so that they get an idea of how much time off you may need per school year and bare this in mind.

If you do become ill and need substantial time off school remember it is the school’s responsibility to provide you with work/revision to complete when you’re away so that you don’t fall behind and have this negatively impact possible exam grades.

Managing your energy in school

When you’re a teenager with half a working heart managing your energy levels is often one of the biggest daily struggles to overcome.

Managing your energy levels so that you achieve at school as well as having a social life can be a juggle.

Little Hearts Matter have created the energy project with spoons that can be shared with your school in order to create an energy efficient school life.

Follow the link to find out more.

LINK TO ENERGY PAGE

PE lessons with half a working heart

Each and every young person with half a working heart is an individual. So, each and every one of you may view PE at school in a different way. Some of you may find PE lessons achievable some may need some support to achieve.

PE lessons really use up your spoons of energy but that doesn’t mean that you can’t work with the school so that you can take part safely.

If you have a conversation with the school or your PE teacher, you can work together to find out what works for you as an individual. They might not completely understand life with half a working heart.

Great questions to ask could include.

  • When in the day do I have PE and what am I expected to do after this lesson with the spoons I have left?
  • Is there a way I can still participate without it being so excessive?
  • Can I be a ref? Can I be a coach?

LINK TO ENERGY PAGE

It is really helpful to be open minded to adapting your PE lessons so you can take part.

Things to remember;

  • The Golden Rule what is the Golden rule?
  • No contact sports