While lockdown may seem like a lifetime ago many children, parents and teachers are still feeling the impact of school closures. Children are behind and as a result teachers and parents are feeling stressed. However, with children now back in school full-time and returning to their normal routines there is light at the end of the tunnel. Additionally, the government has also put the National Tutoring Programme in place to help pupils to catch up. 

As a teacher or teaching assistant, it is your responsibility to help make the transition back to full-time schooling as easy as possible. Below we’ve suggested a few things that you can do to ensure a smooth transition.

Be patient 

Things may not return back to normal right away and that is okay. It may take a little time for your students to adjust to life back in the classroom again. Hang in there! Routines will definitely help and before you know it things will soon be back on track and you’ll be longing for the days of virtual classrooms before you know it.

Keep up-to-date

Make sure your safeguarding training is up-to-date. It’s important that you can confidently recognise and respond to any concerns that you might have regarding the welfare of the students in your class. All of our school staff have the opportunity to complete Safeguarding and Prevent training complelely free of charge - get in touch to find out more. 

Communication is key

To help reduce your student’s stress and anxiety we suggest that you clearly communiate any new procedures and processes. Make sure the new rules are easily accessible to all and that the instructions are easy to follow. While the easing of restrictions is positive, it is likely to cause some confusion so transparency is key e.g. mask policies etc. 

Of course, this is not a one fits all situation and you’ll need to tailor your approach to each child but hopefully, this has helped to provide you with some clarity and confidence movingf forward. 

While we’ve focused on students here, we are very aware that teachers may also be feeling stressed about the return to school too. If you are feeling this way, then take a look at supply teacher, Jessica Joan’s guest blog where she gives her advice on back to school anxieties and how to deal with them.