Ready, set, grow: Managing teacher transition from summer sun to school in September 

“Auld Lang Syne,” without the Champagne and fireworks…

I’ve always thought about the two New Year’s you have in education.

In my eyes, January has nothing on September.

We even have a different diary, solely dedicated to our profession! (Have you got your 2025/26 Academic Planner sorted?)

New Year always means change… especially in school.

Late mornings turn to early ones. Chilled brunch becomes a rushed breakfast. Relaxed reading becomes fast scanning (or skimming). Drifting off at night is switched for a busy brain. And long days are replaced by… well, long, hot days (but with a different feel).

Have New Year’s resolutions ever worked? 

I’m going to say it: September is the real New Year!

It’s a time for fresh determination and optimism. It’s needed, of course. Not many other jobs have a repeating cycle of starting again, and again, and again.

I wonder, have you ever started the year aiming for less coffee, more water, and more green/peppermint/chamomile tea?

Give it a day, and you’re already asking, “How do I balance this all with not going to the toilet all day… especially when I’ve got used to going when I want?”

Still, most teachers feel a genuine sense of excitement (along with the nervousness) when September comes. It’s why the reality needs to be measured with care, both for yourself and your team.

The September “why” is key 

You can bank on two positives when staff return to school, and you can use them powerfully. First, staff will be seeing friends they have a deep connection and “history” with. Second, they’re expecting to work hard – no one will need reminding of what’s needed at the start of the school year.

Just watch the warmth of the hugs and greetings at the start of this term’s inset training. School receptions, department offices, and staff rooms are great places to be in those moments.

The problem is, I’ve seen those bright eyes completely glazed over by mid-morning, as a sweeping wave of pre-emptive tiredness hits the auditorium. By lunchtime, even the fresh sun tans seem to have faded. Nervousness can easily turn to stress, worry and even fear. Sleep never wins when these move in.

But I’ve also seen school teams energised and encouraged by fresh vision in September, including those who are returning to discuss grades that feel short of what was hoped. It can be done.

Keeping the “why,” the “how,” and the “we” at the front of what is communicated is important for staff and for those leading them. It makes protecting that initial energy key.

Lots of what you do on training days must be seen as useful for tomorrow. Of course, the Senior Team will have been in school planning ahead of time to try and balance the many statutory requirements for the start of term training. You will already have shielded your team from lots. But where possible, bring choice into the days, meaning staff are already deciding on their best path to navigate the new initiatives, priorities and plans.

Advocating for teacher well-being 

Well-being gets the best out of a school’s staff team.

Happy teachers teach better.

Supported teachers can support pupils and colleagues better.

Struggling teachers grow when they’re certain of the help they’ll receive.

You’ll be aware of statistics relating to these important markers. Alongside academic progress for children, the health of the education system can be measured by how teachers feel about their job. Education Support’s Teacher Wellbeing Index makes for interesting reading.

There are big ongoing concerns about student behaviour and the wider need for support to help children and families with complex needs. This undoubtedly impacts the mental health and well-being of teaching and support staff. Yet, I also notice a 3% drop in mental health difficulties related to work and a 5% drop in negative school culture affecting well-being.

This is good. So, how do we take the improvements of 2024 and carry them throughout 2025 and beyond?

Teachers: YOU taking responsibility for YOU  

You are the profession's most valuable asset.

Change “you are” to “I am” and say that to yourself.

Repeat.

Look after yourself.

I recently spoke to PE teachers and asked them, “How many of you are still playing sport?”

You may not be surprised to hear that very few were still playing the sports they love – the very reason they became PE teachers. Now, it can be done. I know teachers who are balancing teaching and sport.

Guess what? They feel better (and less resentful) for it.

So, if you’re in the business of setting New Year targets (not resolutions), try the following:

1. Identify and protect a space for your weekly hobby.

2. Work with a coach, mentor or trusted colleague to set boundaries around working at home, leaving school*, deciding what (if any) responsibility you’d like this year, and knowing what you’ll say “no” to.

* Leaving a little later can be great for leaving work at school.

1. Driving: What are you “putting down” as you ask staff to pick up new things?

If it’s additional, make sure you share the “why” of how progress and practice will be improved.

2. Protecting: Think schedule, deadlines and your calendar. There isn’t a “right” way to do a calendar, but keep thinking, discussing and communicating in advance.

Are deadlines reasonable?

Think about marking mocks. If the cookie repeatedly crumbles so that one department is always the last mock with a short deadline, you’ll build resentment. Take a look.

Are there any report deadlines immediately after half term? If so, is the expectation to work through the holiday?

And if you’ve changed any of these in response to feedback, tell your team!

3. Energising: Build in charging points into the first term.

On the first day, your team’s battery is fully charged. A five-period day of “great to meet you” lessons will eat into that energy supply. You’ll all be ready for the weekend!

By October half-term, that battery can be drained, with a long seven or eight-week half-term to follow.

Where can you build charging points into the start of the year?

- Would a training day work somewhere here, when classes are settled and the start of term admin has been juggled?

- How are you creating connections across your team?

- Can you cover staff to visit other lessons, and learn?

- What coaching are you embedding?