KS1 have forgotten how to sit down; KS2 have used all the glue already; and the dreaded back-to-school bug is already kicking in. But this year? We’re keeping calm and staying ahead with these teacher-backed tips and tricks.
1. Label everything
Spend some time labelling everything in your classroom — folders, drawers, plans, class lists, resources. Doing this before the chaos of the new term fully kicks in will help both you and the students with cleaning up and spotting when something needs to be restocked.
You can also do this digitally by creating email folders for parents, staff newsletters, or other important messages to keep them all in one place.
2. Get a planner that works
Take some time to decide on the planning method and planner you’ll (hopefully) stick to this year. Look back at the last school year, your time on placement, or your university years and consider what actually made a difference to your time management.
Try to use your planner for as much as possible — they make great record-keepers as well as future organisers. Using them to reflect on lessons, projects, student behaviour, or things for parents’ evening can come in handy later in the school year.
3. Boundaries, boundaries, boundaries
Learn how to say no in September, so that you don’t end up drowning in your April to-do list. Be clear about your aims for the year — and only say yes to the things that align with your goals.
Setting boundaries also means that you have plenty of time to what you love — whether that’s having dinner with a friend, reading a book or just taking an extra long bath.
4. Stay stocked up
You get back to the classroom ….. annnnnddd within a month there’s no Noris pencils left. We have all been there. Staying stocked up from the start of the year will save you so much time and hassle when Year 3 all magically lose their pencils at the same time in November.
At Teacher’s Club, we regularly run competitions to win stationery on our social channels — so be sure to follow us on Instagram or Facebook!
Or head to your local stationer to get your STAEDTLER fill. After all, nothing feels better than a start-of-year stationary haul. Don’t forget supplies to help students with dyslexia and dyspraxia too — like tinted exercise books or handwriting pens.
5. Back-up resources
We know that things don’t always go to plan, so having back-up resources at the ready can make all the difference — especially for that unexpected rainy day, the class full of sniffles, or when the photocopier has decided to go on annual leave.
You can make these yourself, or take advantage of our updated resources for the 2025-26 school year. Check out our favourite last-minute lessons.
Armed with labelled folders, a highlighted planner, and firm home-time boundaries, you’ll sail through all the glue avalanches, glitter spills and pencil black holes like the champion you are. Ready to rock this year? Let’s do this!
