Help is at hand for parents worried about their children moving from primary to secondary schools.

A special one-day conference is to be held in the city to ensure primary schools are able to offer the best support to pupils set to make the transition.

The pioneering event will see staff from primary schools throughout the district given advice on "positive parenting" techniques and addressing children's fears of bullying.

They will also examine how parents should behave and what can be done to control emotions.

Ann Cossavella, a senior educational psychologist for Education Bradford, said: "Children at 11 do not have previous experience of coping with change. The transition from primary to secondary is the first big change they will be consciously aware of.

"There are also additional needs if a child has special educational needs, if they have had behaviour difficulties at school or if they are looked-after children."

Staff, including parental involvement workers, learning mentors, home liaison workers and teachers, are set to attend the event at the Cedar Court Hotel on Wednesday.

"We have never aimed a conference looking at what parents can do to help their children cope with the challenge," said Mrs Cossavella.

Representatives at Bradford Council's parental involvement team, Barnardo's, Bradford-based drug and alcohol addiction prevention scheme The CALEB Project and special needs experts will be on hand.

Ruth Overy, a parental involvement officer, said: "It is now widely understood that what happens at home is the primary influence on children.

"The workshops will help schools run seminars which address these concerns."

Staff at Nab Wood Secondary in Heaton and Queensbury School will also give a presentation on the support they provide to parents of new Year Seven pupils.