And the worries don't stop there. When their children head off to second level, parents still find they have various queries and concerns.

Introducing Your Second-Level School, a booklet co-published by the National Parents Council (Post-Primary) and the ASTI, provides the answers to many of the questions parents might have. The booklet is designed to promote informed participation of parents in the education system and, as such, begins with an introduction to second-level schools and the importance of parental involvement in their children's education.

It covers a range of issues, including how the school system works, bullying, the various curriculums, grants, discipline, and home-school communication.

This is a very useful publication for parents of children at any stage in the second-level cycle and is currently available through your school principal.