Teacher’s Top 5 Back to School Tips for a Successful Term

To give you a hand, we’ve carried out research with over 1,000 British teachers to get their insights on setting your kids up for success at school. Read on to learn some of the top tips teachers shared to help your family ace the new school year.

Reading is one of the most powerful ways to support your child’s learning and development, so it’s no surprise 95% of teachers recommend you read together as much as possible. It can help expand their vocabulary, build their confidence and of course it’s fun! Rather than handing them your favourite book, let them pick what they want to read, as they’ll have way more fun exploring new characters and worlds they’re interested in.

Don’t forget to chat about the stories and ask them questions – that way they feel you’re involved and just as excited as them to dive back into the story. Whether it’s a few pages before bed or a chunky chapter during the day, helping them to pick up a book can boost several skills that can lead to their success at school.

Nearly all (90%) teachers’ we surveyed suggest giving your kids some independence. And we couldn’t agree more. With many kids making the step up from primary to secondary school, it can be the perfect time to introduce some more responsibility. Whether it’s organising their own homework or packing their bag the night before, they’re getting the chance to learn some valuable life skills.

We know they might not always get it right (memories of leaving your PE kit at home anyone?) and it can be natural to want to help, but letting them learn from their mistakes is an important part of their development. Start with a few small tasks, and as they grow in confidence, you can gradually start introducing more independence to set them up for success in and out of school.

With many ups and downs, school life can be a rollercoaster of emotions at the best of times. That’s why it’s important to have open conversations with your kids to understand their experiences, challenges and successes. By creating an environment where they feel comfortable sharing their feelings and thoughts, you can gain a good insight into their school life.

Try to have a regular catch up with your kids to stay connected on what’s happening. Teachers we spoke to suggested ry asking questions like ‘what was your fave thing about today?’, ‘what did you find difficult?’, and ‘what are you looking forward to at school tomorrow?’. Whether it’s talking about their friends, school subjects, or any problems they’re facing, these conversations show your kids that their opinions matter and they can trust you with their concerns. By checking in with your kids and having these conversations, they can express themselves and seek help when they need it, leading to a more positive and productive school experience.

There’s nothing worse than running late for school in the morning when the kids haven’t packed their bags. Rather than having a last minute rush, you can save on the stress by helping them to get everything ready the night before. Before they put their feet up after a long day at school, get them to check their timetables to see what they might need ahead of tomorrow. If you get them into the habit of thinking ahead, you can avoid the mad morning dash the next day.

Also have a think about all the times throughout the school day where your family could do with a little more structure. Maybe it’s starting the day off right with a morning routine, maybe it’s arranging a homework schedule to make sure it’s all done, or it could even be a consistent bedtime to make sure they’ve got enough rest before another day at school. By setting a school routine you can avoid any stress and make the transition between school and home life smoother for the whole family.

If your child gets school money, teachers recommend talking to them about budgeting for things like lunch and transport. Ah yes, who remembers spending all their pocket money on sweets and snacks in one go?

That’s why it can be a good idea to have an open conversation with your kids about money for school. Set the expectations of how much they’ll get each week and what the money is to be used for. When the kids realise that they’ve got to also think about the school bus as well as school lunches, they’ll soon learn that blowing the budget early doors may not be the best idea. Handing over this responsibility can be a great way to teach them the value of money while also helping them to build smart money habits for the future.

That wraps up our five favourite teacher’s tips for a successful term. Whether you’re a new term novice or back to school sensei, there’s something in here for everyone. Take your pick and choose the tips that will work best for your family. Best of luck for the new school term and don’t forget to head to our Take on the Term hub for more handy back to school tips.