Thriving in Secondary School with T1D: A Guide to a Smooth & Sweet Transition
The move to secondary school is a big milestone for any child, but for children with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D), it can come with extra challenges. New teachers, a bigger school and a different routine can feel overwhelming- but with the right preparation, it can be a smooth and empowering experience. It’s also a time when your child will take more responsibility for their own diabetes management, making it an important step toward independence. With the right support, they can thrive both academically and personally while confidently managing their condition.
Here’s 7 steps that can help your child transition confidently while ensuring their health and well-being are supported every step of the way.
1. Get the School on Board Early
Before the school year starts, arrange a meeting with key staff: the head of the year, SENCO (Special Educational Needs Coordinator), school nurse and any teachers who will have regular contact with your child.
Provide a clear care plan- Work with your child’s diabetes team to create a plan that includes testing times, insulin needs, hypo and hyper symptoms and treatments, and emergency contacts. Personalise the hypo and hyper symptom sections to include extra symptoms your child may feel, if not already included.
Explain diabetes equipment- Ensure staff understand any technology your child uses, such as:
Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM): These devices track blood sugar in real time and may have alarms that go off if levels are too high or low. Teachers should know what these alarms mean and when action is needed.
Insulin Pump: If your child uses a pump, they may need to adjust settings throughout the day, particularly around PE or meals.
Carb Counting Apps: If they use an app to help manage mealtime insulin, they may need access to their phone during lunch.
Testing & Injection Needs: Whether your child uses a pump or insulin pens, they should have a safe and private place to check insulin levels and administer insulin when needed.
Discuss access to supplies- Ensure your child has a designated place to store their extra diabetes supplies and extra snacks.
Agree on a hypo and hyper protocol- Make sure teachers understand the signs of low blood sugar, when your teacher may need to treat a hypo or hyper and how to support them during lessons. Many schools give T1D children a badge or card that they can show their teacher to leave the classroom for diabetic management.
By making sure the school is fully informed about your child’s needs and equipment, you’ll create a supportive environment where your child can focus on learning with confidence.
2. Empower Your Child to Self-Manage
Secondary school brings more independence, so this is a great time to encourage self-management in a supportive way.
Help them own their routine- Encourage them to take responsibility for testing and insulin doses, but reassure them that help is always available.
Practice talking about diabetes- Role-play different scenarios where they might need to explain their condition to teachers or friends.
Teach them to problem-solve- What should they do if they forget their kit? How should they handle PE classes? Helping them think ahead will boost confidence.
3. Make Hypo and Hyper Management Easy
Snack strategy- Make sure they have fast-acting glucose (Glucose Tabs or Glucose Shots) in their bag, locker and with the staff member that supervises them. Do regular refill checks of these.
Lunchtime logistics- Work with the school to ensure they have enough time to check blood sugar and inject insulin before eating.
PE prep- Remind them to check levels before, during and after exercise- ensure they have snacks handy.
4. Make Lunchtime Management Easy
Get Familiar with the Menu- if the school provides meals, ask for a copy of the lunch menu in advance so you can plan insulin needs . If the menu changes frequently, practice estimating carbs at home which will build confidence with making quick food decisions on the spot.
Use Carb-Counting Apps- Technology can make carb counting much easier! Encourage your child to get comfortable using apps like Carbs & Cals, MyFitnessPal or CalorieKing before school starts so they feel confident at lunchtime.
Packing a lunch for peace of mind- if school meals seem unpredictable, bringing a packed lunch can take the guesswork out of carb counting.
Extra Support if Needed- If your child needs help at lunchtime, talk to the school about whether a nurse, teaching assistant or trusted staff member can be available to assist with carb counting or insulin doses.
5. Build a Support Network
Find a diabetes buddy- If there are other students with T1D, connecting with them can make your child feel less alone
Encourage friendships- Teach their close friends about T1D so they understand and can offer support when needed
Stay in touch with school staff- A quick email every term to check in can help keep communication open.
6. Manage the Emotional Side
Secondary school can be a time when children don’t want to stand out, and diabetes can sometimes feel like an extra burden.
Reassure them that it’s normal to have ups and downs- Managing T1D alongside school life isn’t always easy, and that’s okay!
Help them balance responsibility and fun- They should feel empowered, not restricted by their diabetes care.
Encourage independence, but be their safety net- Let them take charge but remind them you’re always there to support them.
7. Stay Flexible and Adapt
No transition is perfect, and there will be bumps along the way. What works at the start of the year might need tweaking as your child settles in. Keep communication open, be patient and celebrate their progress.
Final Thoughts
Starting secondary school is a big step, but with planning, encouragement and the right support, your child can thrive. By empowering them to manage their diabetes while ensuring the school is well-prepared, you’re setting them up for success- both in their health and their education.
And remember: they’ve got this, and so do you!
