Back to school tips for teachers

The start of a new school year brings hope, excitement and new challenges. Learn how to get started with our back-to-school tips for effective teaching.

Going back to school after the summer holidays can be a nerve-racking, exciting and hectic time for teachers. What should you do first?

Of course, setting up a good rapport with your new class is crucial. But it is also important to think about setting up a good rapport with the parents too (you’ll usually have a meeting with them in September), and with any new staff who are starting in the school (or all staff, if you are the new one). 

It's also a great time to sort out and clear out of your classroom – start afresh. Think about processes that might help you stay on top of workloads. For example, one of our tips includes creating a marking schedule.

Consider the school year as a project. Starting off with great habits can really impact your day-to-day teaching further down the line.

Back to school tips for teachers at a glance

Above all, the new school year is a busy time. To help, we’ve spoken to teachers up and down the country who have offered their own tips to make the back-to-school transition that little bit easier.

Whether you are a newly qualified teacher, or just looking to reacquaint yourself with your new school year processes, there’s something for everybody.

Zaynab Bharuchi – Assistant principal 

"Celebrate your class results or case studies of pupils who achieved with new classes or pupils. It's amazing how motivating it can be for pupils to know of someone in the year ahead who overcame challenges and obstacles. It's pretty good for you too. After all, it was you who got them there.”

Andrea Taylor – Secondary school teacher and teaching school associate 

“My 'back to school' tip is inspired by my excellent colleague and mentee, Kelly McElroy, who successfully completed her NQT year last year. 

“At the start of the year, before she had met a single pupil, Kelly looked at her timetable carefully and designed a marking timetable. She worked out the best time each fortnight (we have a two-week timetable) to mark each set of books, ensuring she had sufficient time to turn a whole set of books around between lessons.

“More importantly, she taped it to her desk, and she stuck to it like glue throughout the year. She never felt overwhelmed by marking, as so many of us do, because she had been proactive and pre-empted this problem.

“This strategy also works because it takes account of the fact that marking forms a crucial aspect of lesson planning. Her regular and consistent marking meant that she was able to plan and adapt lessons according to her students’ needs. 

“The students really appreciated the regularity of her marking, and I am quite certain this was one of the main reasons that students held her in such high regard. In 15 years of teaching, I have never been this organised – but it is never too late to start. I'll be devising my marking timetable next week.”

Chris Henley – Assistant headteacher

“If you aren't excited at the beginning of a new school year, you are in the wrong job. Make your mantra for this year ‘the best possible’."

“Be the best possible version of yourself every single day. Encourage the kids you teach to put in the best possible effort they can and help your school to be the best possible. The best possible every moment of every day."

Sophie Heaton – Primary school teacher 

“View it as a fresh start. Your new class might have acted a certain way or achieved a certain amount with their previous teacher, but they should have a fresh start with you now. Also, a fresh start for the teacher in terms of their approach and techniques they want to try out.”

Niari White – Further education tutor 

“Be prepared – the start of the year will be smoother if you’ve got everything ready in advance. The better prepared you are, the better you will feel. Don’t leave it to the last minute.”

Gary Toward – Author and former headteacher

“Reflect on the previous year: it’s an opportunity to think about what went well and what didn’t, and what you can improve (not just planning, but things like behaviour management).

“As the end of the summer holidays approach all brilliant teachers should be looking forward to the new term (if not, you're in the wrong job...honestly). Make the new term start as positively as possible with every kid you teach by systematically ensuring you find a reason to praise them. Make it even more powerful by linking that praise to something they have improved on.”

Harriet Crossley – Primary teacher

“Buy a material pen and ask the students to write their names in the back of their jumpers. This can avoid jumper confusion hell!”

What you need to remember about new school year tips for teachers

The new school year is a chance to start fresh. Get organised, get creative – and help your future self succeed.

Looking for a new challenge or want to discuss your current or future recruitment needs? Please contact your local Hays Education recruitment consultant.

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