If you’re a new headteacher starting your first post this September, you’ll already be feeling all the emotions from blind panic to sheer excitement.

I was in the same position two years ago and so know the feeling well.

Having navigated those early days and weeks and with time to reflect here are some of the key things I learned during those first few days of headship that I feel are worth sharing.

1. Embrace the fear

No matter who you are, or what role it is, everyone feels nervous on their first day.

Even as the headteacher, you are allowed to feel nervous and it’s ok to admit this to your new colleagues: if anything, it shows staff that, like them, you’re human.

During the first Inset day, find an activity that will break the ice, so you and your staff feel more at ease. 

Holiday bingo often works well. This involves people writing down something they have done on the holidays - visited a foreign country, done some decorating, got married, visited a castle etc - onto a grid and then you go around finding people that have done them.

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2. Be decisive

As the new headteacher, your team will look to you for leadership and direction: and it’s up to you to deliver.

Getting used to a new school with different routines, systems and processes takes time, but it’s important that you are able to make decisions about the things that count or know who to check with if you’re unsure.

There’s nothing wrong with saying “let me have a think and get back to you”: this buys you time to think clearly, get more information or discuss with someone else so you can make an informed decision.

3. Make yourself visible

You get to know a school by getting to know the people in it.

Talk to parents at the gate at the start and end of the day. Spend time in the playground at break time and in the dinner hall or canteen at lunchtime.

Talk to the children on a personal level: not with the intention of probing them about the school, but to get to know them and their personalities.

Speak to staff on a personal level too: find out what they did in the holidays, talk to them about general stuff. It’s about breaking down potential barriers before those barriers have time to be established.

4. Don’t fill up your diary

In the first week of the new academic year, you need time to get to know how things work.

Filing up your diary with appointments will put restrictions on you so if parents, staff or governors want to meet with you, arrange it for the second or third week.

5. Celebrate the milestones 

Most importantly, celebrate each milestone.

Whether it’s with a bottle of bubbly, a nice meal out or a big bar of chocolate, at the end of the first week, month, half term and term - do something to congratulate yourself on getting that far.

It is an achievement, and it deserves to be recognised.

Amanda Wilson is a primary headteacher and tweets @AmandaWilson910