Sharp pencils, seating plans and a big reserve of enthusiasm: how primary teachers prepare for the new term

Preparation is key to surviving the first few weeks of the new school year

Preparation For Primary

It may be the summer holidays but primary teachers on the #PrimaryRocks twitter chat are already getting ready for September.

The popular chat, which runs from 8pm to 9pm on Monday evenings (even in the school holidays), this week discussed what individuals considered "essential" to have prepared before school starts back in September.

There was some agreement on the basics - an outline plan for the first few days, weeks, or possibly half term, information on the children, particularly those with special educational needs and display boards ready for children’s work.

Planning, giving the chn's new room the wow factor and the start of brilliant relationships with your new team. #PrimaryRocks

— Mr W (@secretsforabuck)

But some needs were more basic than others: “enough chairs,” said one contributor.

A1. Enough chairs for everyone, name tags + planning for the first week #PrimaryRocks

— janet ross (@cnugget23) 

While others spanned the range from practical to spiritual:

A1: a good mug. A full compliment of stationary. A fresh packet of laminates. A wing. And a prayer. #PrimaryRocks

— Mr M (@athole) 

Others simply pointed out the need for a decent rest – a recent YouGov poll for the TES discovered that almost half of teachers will spend two weeks or more on school work during the summer.

But, teachers taking part the popular chat had dozens of other ideas. Here are a few of the favourites:

1. Sharp pencils

@NialiAx @Carole_XLIX And having the right amount, as after the first day suddenly there will only be about 4 left in the classroom...

— Helen Close (@helen_close) 

2. Gluesticks - with lids

@MissKingTeach treasure them whilst they come with lids #PrimaryRocks

— Jenna Lucas (@JennaLucas81) 

3. Emergency greetings card box

#PrimaryRocks a re-filled snack box & emergency greetings card box, usually have a couple of bottles of wine stashed away for instant gifts

— Dorastar1 (@Dorastar1) 

4. Music

@KSunray3 I get the kids to choose a couple songs each also, nice to have their own playlist on during practical lessons. #PrimaryRocks

— Helen Close (@helen_close)

5. Enthusiasm and belief

A1: your enthusiasm, excitement, buzz. Without this all the plans, EHCs etc won't make the difference you want it to. #PrimaryRocks

— Conor Heaven (@ConorHeaven) 

@ASTsupportAAli cheers. Teachers need to use this time to remember how amazing they are and then use this belief to smash it #PrimaryRocks

— Conor Heaven (@ConorHeaven) 

The last one, as they say in the credit card advert, is priceless.