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Teaching & Support Staff – How to prepare for the new school term

Prioritise Self-Care: Use the school holidays to prioritise your mental and physical well-being. Engage in activities that help you relax and simply feel happy. Remember, self-care is essential for maintaining resilience and energy throughout the term.
Learn & Upskill: Use the time to invest in your professional development and educational knowledge. Our suite of CPD podcasts (exclusively available to our registered candidates – register now if you haven’t already) are designed to support your teaching & supply staff journey, with supporting workbooks & quizzes to test what you’ve learnt.
Reflect and Set Intentions: Reflect on any experiences from the previous school terms and identify any areas for growth and improvement. Set intentions and goals for the upcoming term, both personally and professionally. Having a clear vision of what you want to achieve can help guide your actions and priorities.

Know Your Curriculum: Familiarise yourself with the curriculum objectives and standards relevant to your subject area, type of school & student age range. Review the key topics and learning outcomes for the summer term to inform your lesson planning process.
Set Clear Learning Goals: Establish clear learning goals and objectives for each lesson and unit. Consider the needs and abilities of your students, as well as any individualised learning plans for SEND students.
Plan Engaging Activities: Brainstorm creative and interactive learning activities to keep students engaged and motivated. Tailor your teaching strategies to accommodate diverse learning styles and preferences, incorporating a mix of group work, hands-on activities and multimedia resources. You could use TeachIt, Twinkl or BBC Teach to source engaging & appropriate resources for all ages.

Plan Your Wardrobe: Take some time to plan your work wardrobe for the upcoming term. Ensure that you have appropriate attire for schools, including comfortable shoes for long days on your feet. Make sure you check each school attire policy to ensure your outfits are suitable.
Pack Healthy Work Lunches: Invest in meal prep containers and plan healthy, nutritious lunches to fuel your day at school. Batch cooking a few days ahead can save you valuable time and ensure you always have a meal ready for when you really need it.
Plan Your Travel: When working as a member of supply staff and travelling between schools, you need to plan your travel routes and schedules in advance. Allow extra time for potential traffic or delays and familiarise yourself with the locations and facilities of each school you’ll be visiting.

Establish Routines: Develop clear routines and procedures for classroom management, including expectations for behaviour, transitions and daily routines. Communicate these expectations to students on the first day of the new school term and reinforce them consistently to create a positive and structured learning environment.
Stay Flexible: As a supply staff member working across various schools, adaptability is key. Familiarise yourself with the policies and procedures of each school you will be working at, and be prepared to adjust your approach to classroom organisation and management accordingly.
Organise the Essentials: Ensure you have all of the essential items you need to be able to teach confidently & effectively. Some of these items may include: a laptop or tablet, an academic calendar or diary, learning resources, classroom/building access keys & lots of stationery (pens, pencils & markers).

By following these tips, you can effectively prepare for the new term ahead and set the stage for a successful and rewarding teaching experience.

If you have any specific queries, please contact your dedicated JT consultant, who is on hand to help you and answer any questions you may have.