Things to do

As the summer term draws to a close, it's inevitable that teachers' thoughts turn to the tasks that can make the start of the new academic year go as smoothly as possible. So, what can be done in the last weeks of the school year, should you get a spare moment, to get you set up for September?

• Prepare peg or drawer labels, with pictures if possible, and create name cards for use in self-registration or for copying (depending on the age of the class)
• Prepare labels for areas of, and items in, your classroom so that new pupils have full access and independence in the room
• Start to remove displays and re-back display boards. Aim to do at least one, so new work can be put up as early as possible in the autumn term
  
• Read up on your new class, in particular looking out for SEN and medical needs
• Pass on information about your current class to their new teacher
• Think about ability groups and a seating plan. What areas or zones do you want?
• Think about how you will use the furniture in the new term
  
• Visit TeacherNet and the Standards Site to see what's new and to download relevant assemblies for the new school year. www.teachernet.gov.uk or www.standards.dfes.gov.uk
  
• Think about professional development and where your career is heading. Check out available training for CPD. www.ncsl.org.uk or www.teachernet.gov.uk/cpd
  
• If working with a new teaching assistant (TA), aim to meet for a chat to establish working practices and share SEN information before the end of term. Set up a new TA book to aid communication between the two of you
  
• Head up any assessment forms
• Mark books and reading records
  
• Collect new stock and name books
• Retrieve anything  borrowed by current pupils
  
• If you see your new class at the end of term, set them a summer holiday task such as bringing in a postcard from somewhere they visit. This can be used in a display in September.
• Ask them what they like doing best at school, and home, and who their friends are. This could give you valuable information when motivating them to learn in September
  
• De-clutter as much as possible and, while tidying, allocate a shelf or space to store useful books, apparatus and resources for the first few weeks of term.
• Start a teaching plan for the first few weeks

This content was published in July 2005 and may not reflect current policy