How to help pupils settle back into learning after the school holidays

Coming back to school after a long break can be challenging. Getting back into routines, seeing friends after a long time apart and having to recentre their attention back into learning is a tough task for pupils who have just spent six weeks having fun and not in an educational environment. To help you help your pupils settle in, we’ve gathered some tips for the first few weeks back in school.

Ease back into routines

Having to switch from a carefree break back to learning can be difficult, which is why it’s essential for this transition to be done slowly and with care.

Create a welcoming environment

Make your classroom an environment that pupils are excited to come back to. This can be done through decorating the classroom and providing a comfortable atmosphere, but also by communicating clearly, supporting your pupils’ emotions and wellbeing and building connections.

Establish expectations

Having clear and defined expectations and boundaries will help your pupils understand what is expected from them. The first few weeks of school are a key time for establishing these expectations and boundaries to have a productive academic year.

Start slow

After a long break from learning, it’s important to ease your pupils back into their schoolwork and not jump right into it. Start the academic year slowly with smaller tasks, plenty of breaks and allowing plenty of time for reviews and reflections.

Focus on Safeguarding

During the summer months you would have likely not had contact with your pupils so you will not be aware of any concerns that may have arisen during that time. Make use of these more relaxed few weeks back to have conversations with your pupils discussing the break and what they got up to in order to identify any potential concern.

Safeguarding training

It’s important for staff to be fully up to speed with the latest safeguarding policies and procedures and for the school to have qualified staff members to guide these conversations. To support this need, look into placing your safeguarding personnel on a training programme to help develop their knowledge and skills. LMP Education has a funded Safeguarding Support Officer training programme for school staff who currently undertake safeguarding responsibilities and look to upskill. Learn more about the Safeguarding Support Officer programme.

Utilise support staff

The beginning of the school year can be overwhelming for both pupils and staff as everyone tries to get back into the swing of things. By utilising Teaching Assistants during this time, you can have a second helping hand allowing the classroom teachers to focus on the main chunk of learning while the Teaching Assistant supports the pupils on a more 1-2-1 basis.

Teaching Assistant training

Teaching Assistants support the classroom in a number of different ways and are crucial for the beginning of the school year transition. Having fully qualified Teaching Assistants will ensure that pupils and teachers are adequately supported. LMP Education’s Teaching Assistant Development programme is ideal for hiring new Teaching Assistants or upskilling existing support staff for a great start to the school year. Learn more about the Teaching Assistant Development Programme.

Consider alternative provision

Some pupils may struggle more than others to settle back in to learning. Some will take some time and will eventually get there while others may need additional support to help them in the transition. Alternative Provision is a solution for learners who struggle to settle in mainstream school for any reason.

LMP Action’s Alternative Provision encompasses inclusion, restoration and self-awareness practices. Harnessing personal responsibility and growth to support and develop young people. We focus on supporting pupils through their educational journey looking to reintegrate them back into school or helping them complete their education within our setting. Learn more about LMP Action Alternative Provision.

If you are interested in any of the training discussed in this article, please book a discovery call with the LMP team.