7 Things Teachers Should Do Before the End of the Autumn Term

The autumn term is often one of the busiest periods in the school year. From getting back into the classroom in September to managing the demands of a full term and preparing for Christmas, there’s always plenty to keep teachers and school support staff busy.

Workload continues to be a challenge across the education sector. The Department for Education’s Working Lives of Teachers and Leaders research found that 71% of teachers and middle leaders felt they spent too much time on general administration.

With the Christmas break getting closer, it’s a good time to take a step back, look at what you’ve achieved and think about what you’d like to get done before the end of term. It’s also worth making sure you leave yourself some time to enjoy a well-earned rest.

Whether you’re a primary teacher , a teaching assistant , a cover supervisor, an early career teacher or working in another school-based role, here are seven things to think about as the autumn term comes to an end.

1. Take stock of what you’ve achieved

When you’re caught up in the day-to-day demands of working in a school, it’s easy to move from one thing to the next without stopping to think about what you’ve achieved along the way.

Take a little time to look back over the term. Think about the progress your pupils have made, the little breakthroughs, the challenges you’ve worked through and the things that have gone particularly well.

Perhaps you’ve helped a pupil build their confidence, tried a new approach to a lesson or given extra support to someone who needed it. Whatever it is, don’t overlook the difference you’ve made. It’s not always the big achievements that matter. Sometimes the smallest things can have the biggest impact.

2. Get outstanding admin out of the way

Marking, reports, paperwork and emails can soon build up during a busy term, so it’s understandable if your to-do list is looking a little longer than you’d like.

If you can, try to get some of those outstanding tasks out of the way before the holidays. This might mean finishing reports, updating records or responding to emails that need attention.

Of course, not everything can, or has to be, finished before you leave. Focus on what genuinely needs doing and make a note of anything that can wait until January. There’s no reason to spend your Christmas break worrying about a list of jobs that can wait until you’re back.

3. Make sure important information is up to date

Keeping pupil records and progress information up to date is an important part of working in education.

Before the end of term, check whether there’s anything that needs reviewing or sharing with colleagues. This is particularly important when it comes to individual learning needs, behaviour, support plans and any changes that other members of staff need to know about.

Whether you’re responsible for a class or providing additional learning support, making sure the right information is available helps everyone pick things up more easily when the new term begins.

4. Make time for professional development

Finding time for training and professional development during a busy school term isn’t always easy. However, it’s worth thinking about whether there’s anything you’d like to learn or refresh your knowledge of. It can be a good way to build your skills, keep up to date and stay motivated in your role.

It doesn’t have to mean taking on a big course or committing to hours of extra work. Even a short training session can be useful.

At Athona Education, we offer free, CPD-accredited online training for education professionals, including Safeguarding Level 2, Allergy and Anaphylaxis, GDPR and Cyber Security.

If you’re working with us, keeping your essential training up to date is part of your annual requirements. It’s also useful to have your certificates ready if you’re considering a new role, so you can show what you’ve already completed. We also have a range of free training videos available through our eLearning Zone, where you can find something relevant to you and watch it at a time that suits you.

5. Check in with colleagues

The end of term can be a demanding time for everyone, so it’s worth making a little time for the people you work with. A quick chat or a simple check-in can make a difference, particularly when everyone has plenty on their plate.

Whether it’s sharing important information, offering a hand with something or simply catching up before the holidays, small gestures help build good working relationships. It’s also a chance to let colleagues know you’re there if they need a hand.

Before everyone heads off for the break, make sure anything that needs following up in January has been shared, particularly where pupil support or changes to routines are concerned.

6. Be realistic about what needs doing

There is always something else that could be done in a school. Another resource to prepare, another piece of marking or another task to tick off the list. But remember, you’re only one person and you can only do so much.

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed or that you should be doing more, but trying to fit everything in isn’t always realistic. Think about what really needs your attention, what can wait and where you can give yourself a little breathing space.

Doing a good job doesn’t mean having to do everything all at once. Your health and wellbeing matter too, and it’s important to recognise when enough is enough.

7. Give yourself time to switch off

After a busy autumn term, Christmas is a chance to slow down and enjoy some time away from school.

Working in education doesn’t always stop when the school day ends. Planning, marking and other responsibilities can easily take up time outside working hours too.

When the holidays arrive, try to put those responsibilities aside. Spend time with family and friends, catch up with things you’ve been meaning to do or simply enjoy having a bit of time to yourself.

Give yourself permission to switch off and enjoy the break. You don’t need to spend the Christmas holidays thinking about school.

Thinking about a new role in January?

If you’re considering a change in the new year, the Christmas break can be a good opportunity to think about what you’d like from your next role.

Whether you’re looking for a new challenge, more flexibility or simply want to explore what’s available, you can speak to your consultant about the opportunities we have coming up.

If you’re not registered with us yet, you can get started before Christmas. Our registration process takes you through three straightforward steps: completing your registration form, uploading your documents and completing any outstanding essential training. We’ve made the process straightforward, with clear guidance at each stage.

Getting started early gives you time to get everything in place before the January recruitment period.

Looking ahead

Whether you’re staying in your current role, considering a change or simply looking forward to a well-earned break, we hope you’ve had a good autumn term and have the chance to enjoy some time away from the classroom.

From everyone at Athona Education, we wish you a happy and restful Christmas break.