Despite this week’s announcement that the government will give customers up to £10 off a restaurant meal, pressure continues for ministers to offer high-street vouchers as well. 

Campaigners would like to see every adult in England offered a £500 voucher to be spent on the high street, in order to boost businesses and kick-start economic recovery. 

Assuming this happens, how might teachers choose to spend a £500 shopping windfall, while we actually have some time for shopping during the summer holidays?

1. A stationery shopping spree

There’s nothing quite like stocking up for September by purchasing a personalised teacher planner to mark those important personal and professional dates for the year ahead. 

Or perhaps you might treat yourself to a new set of gel pens, a pack of praise postcards, or a new water bottle to go with your new teaching bubbles? 

A £500 voucher could purchase enough glue sticks to supply your classroom for a full school year. Or, if you’re feeling frivolous, why not treat yourself to those pastel whiteboard markers you’ve had your eye on for some time? 

2. No more trackie bottoms

While there have been many things to dislike about lockdown, planning lessons in pyjamas has not been one of them.

Nothing says “lockdown” like the decision to match a smart top with food-stained tracksuit bottoms during that Zoom meeting. Unless, perhaps, it’s working in the kitchen, next to a well-stocked biscuit cupboard.  

If the idea of squeezing back into your workwear fills you with dread, perhaps you could use your voucher to buy a new pair of trainers to go from couch to 5k over the summer months. Or, less dramatically, to invest in a few new outfits for the term ahead. 

3. Hair today…gone tomorrow

Many of us haven’t seen our hairdressers for quite some time. As much as we might have enjoyed low-maintenance living during lockdown, is there anyone who wouldn’t enjoy blowing a significant amount of government money on a style that doesn’t involve split ends, lost layers and a grey parting stripe? 

4. Investing in knowledge

As teachers, we always go above and beyond the call of duty, when it comes to enriching the learning experiences of our pupils. So maybe it’s time to invest in our own knowledge, too. 

This could be as simple as picking up the latest bestseller in an independent bookshop. Or, alternatively, wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could use our vouchers to begin that postgraduate qualification we’ve been putting off for quite some time? After all, it is said that investing in education pays the best interest.

5. Treat yourself

It’s certainly been a busy year. Teachers have worked harder than ever, embracing new methods of teaching and learning that we previously never even imagined using. 

We know we are facing challenging times ahead so it’s important that we plan to take care of our wellbeing before the new term begins. Maybe your vouchers could be spent on some home sports equipment? Maybe it’s time to treat yourself to a new TV to unwind in front of in the evenings. Or perhaps you’d like to splurge on some home furnishings, so you have a relaxing - and well-sprung - place to rest after a busy day in the classroom. 

Never underestimate the power of a good night’s sleep. Maybe those vouchers could be used to treat yourself to some new bedding, or some home-spa essentials to help you rest, relax and rejuvenate, ready for September. 

6. Friends and family first

In the weeks before we return to the relentless of termtime, it’s especially important that we prioritise spending quality time with friends and family. Maybe those vouchers could be spent on a family day out to a local attraction? Or maybe you could enjoy a discounted meal with friends in a local restaurant. 

Could it be time to connect with your loved ones over coffee and cake? If working from home has taught you anything, it’s surely that a coffee machine is a household essential. And perhaps purchasing a new camera could help you capture the memories made over the summer months.
 

However, while the thought of receiving a £500 voucher to spend on the high street may have us planning the perfect shopping list of treats after an exceptionally challenging school year, it’s important to reflect on the ultimate lesson of coronavirus: there is no wealth more valuable than good health. 

As schools prepare for a full return for all pupils in September, we must, therefore, remember that self-care is not selfish - it is a necessity in the valuable jobs that we do. 

Sarah Mullin is a deputy headteacher and doctor of education student. Her book, What They Didn’t Teach Me on My PGCE, is a bestseller on Amazon