Are you ready?
GCSE results have landed, and across the country thousands of students are celebrating, commiserating, or somewhere in between. Funnily enough, plenty of teachers are doing the same thing.
I’m happy with my results this year, which makes the looming INSET day a little less stressful. You know the one: SLT pouring over headline figures, subject by subject, in front of the entire staffroom. Some colleagues shift uncomfortably in their seats, others sit quietly relieved that—for now—they’re off the hook.
And here we are, the last week of summer. Six weeks vanished in a blink and now September looms large. Dun dun DUUUUUUUUUN.
It’s a feeling that’s hard to describe. Other professions must get it, but surely not on the same scale. You look forward to the routine, but dread the workload. You feel like you’ve forgotten how to teach, as though you’re a brand-new NQT walking in on day one again. Ten Septembers in, and I still can’t manage a stoic return. It’s the ultimate Sunday night feeling—just stretched across an entire week.
Of course, once we’re back it takes approximately 9.3 minutes (I’ve scientifically tested this) before the summer is completely erased and the school mindset takes over. The sheer pace of the day smacks you in the face from minute one.
Then the kids arrive. On the most punctual day of the year, no less. Parents are clearly keen to get them out of the house after six long weeks together (if only they were that enthusiastic all year round…). The corridors fill quickly with nervous faces, shiny new uniforms, pristine stationery, and brand-new bags. Everyone—students and staff alike—is determined: this year will be different. This will be the year of organisation, no bad habits, no missed deadlines.
It feels a bit like New Year’s Eve: full of resolutions and good intentions. But like most resolutions, how long do they last? Studies suggest most are gone by the end of January, which in school terms probably translates to October half term. Personally, I tend to notice behaviour sliding after about 4–5 weeks as tiredness creeps in and standards slip a little.
At my school, serving a large number of disadvantaged young people, the summer has often been tough for them—little structure, little stability. They return on edge, needing time to settle back into routine. Our pastoral staff, absolute unsung heroes, work overtime to get them regulated so that we can actually teach.
It’s a unique, slightly surreal time of year for secondary teachers. A mix of dread, excitement, and “what on earth am I doing here again?”
So, breathe. Prepare as best you can. Accept that you won’t have it all figured out straight away, and that’s perfectly fine. And above all—remember: they’re more afraid of you than you are of them.
And if all else fails, just remember: there are only about 190 teaching days until summer… but who’s counting?
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