James Cairns, Head of Year 7 at Lincoln Minster School, reflects on the journey our newest Senior students have taken since September, from first-day nerves to the confident, settled young people we see today.
The Difference Five Months Makes
By Mr Cairns, Head of Year 7
It’s hard to believe that we are already in February.
When I think back to September and those first few days of Year 7, I can still picture the mixture of excitement and nerves. Some students arrived full of energy and ready to go. Others were quieter, taking everything in, figuring out the rhythm of a much bigger school.
That’s completely normal.
Starting Senior School is a significant step. New classrooms, different teachers for each subject, more independence, new friendships forming, it’s a lot to navigate all at once.
Now that we are firmly in the middle of the academic year, the change in them is clear.
From Finding Their Feet to Finding Their Place
In September, you could spot the new Year 7s instantly, timetable in hand, double-checking where to go next, moving a little quickly between lessons.
Today, they move around school with ease. There’s a calm confidence about them. They know the routines. They understand expectations. More importantly, they feel that they belong.
That sense of belonging is something we work hard to build. As a smaller school community, we are able to know our students well, not just academically, but personally. We notice quickly if someone is feeling unsure, and we respond early. Form tutors, subject teachers and pastoral staff communicate closely, which means no student slips through unnoticed.
When students feel secure and known, everything else follows.
Growing Independence with the Right Support
One of the most noticeable differences since September is their independence.
At the start of the year, organisation can feel overwhelming. Managing homework across subjects, remembering equipment, adjusting to a busier timetable, it takes practice.
Five months on, many are taking real ownership of their learning. They are thinking ahead, responding positively to feedback and showing resilience when work feels challenging.
Independence at this stage isn’t about removing support, it’s about gradually building confidence. Our role is to guide them while giving them space to grow. By February, you can see that balance is beginning to settle.
Friendship and Confidence
Socially, too, they have matured.
Friendship groups have widened naturally. Students mix confidently across forms, in sport, in clubs and in the dining hall. There is a genuine warmth within this year group, they look out for one another.
That hasn’t happened by accident.
Through their PSHE curriculum this year, students are exploring themes such as identity, respect, consent, community, and what makes a good friend. They’ve had open conversations about what it means to belong to a community and how their actions affect others. Those discussions give them language and understanding, and you can see the impact of that in daily school life.
You notice it in small but important ways: encouraging a friend before speaking in class, including someone new in their friendship group, resolving misunderstandings more thoughtfully, and celebrating each other’s achievements.
Those moments matter just as much as academic progress.
What reassures me most is that our Year 7 students are not only progressing in their learning, they are also happy.
They are busy, challenged, and discovering new strengths, but they are also smiling, trying new activities and finding their place within the wider school community.
When students feel happy and secure, they are far more willing to challenge themselves. And when they see that effort leads to improvement, confidence grows naturally alongside achievement.
For families preparing for this transition in the future, it’s worth saying that those early nerves are expected. We see them every year, and we also see how quickly they turn into confidence!
Right now, in February, this cohort feels settled, self-assured and very much part of Senior School life.
It has been a privilege to watch that journey unfold, and I’m excited to see how they continue to grow in the months ahead.