MUST-HAVE Back-to-School Teacher Checklist

Hey Teach,

It’s that time again—the summer term! You might be feeling exhausted as the school year winds down, but there’s also that spark of excitement for the fresh start ahead. New class, new challenges, maybe even a new room! There’s so much to juggle, so I’ve created this Back-to-School Checklist to make setting up your classroom a breeze. Let’s get you organised and ready to go without the stress.

1-2 Months Before the End of Term

🎉 Yay! You’ve found out your class and room for next year.
Time to start planning!

• [ ] Check out your new room.
  Chat with the current teacher. Ask what worked well and what didn’t in terms of layout. Pro tip: If possible, arrange a cupboard or storage spot where you can start moving in your things early.
• [ ] Schedule a handover meeting.
  The current teacher knows so much about your new students. This is your golden chance to ask about:
• Safeguarding concerns.
• Any tricky parent issues or dynamics.
• Personalities that worked well together (perfect for seating plan ideas).
• Interests, reading levels, end-of-year test scores, and SEN details.
• Behaviour strategies that work (or don’t).
  You’ll be so grateful for this info come September!
• [ ] Gather additional important info.
  Check with admin staff about updated medical details, dietary needs, or toileting requirements.
• [ ] Coordinate with the premises team.
  Need heavy boxes or furniture moved? Speak to the custodian or premises staff ASAP. The earlier you ask, the better!
• [ ] Take stock of your resources.
  Chat with your phase leader about missing supplies and get your orders in early. Essentials to check for include:
• For you: A wall stapler, regular stapler, staples, adult scissors, backing paper or hessian fabric, borders, laminator, laminating pouches, and Blu Tack.
• For the students: Pencils, pens, highlighters, mini whiteboards, whiteboard pens and erasers, glue sticks, scissors, rulers, markers, felt-tip pens. This list isn’t exhaustive.  Some schools provide these, but if not, these are must-haves.
• [ ] Plan your “Meet the Teacher” activities.
  Prep a PowerPoint, fun activities, and maybe even a flyer. If you’re short on time, check out my ready-made editable Meet the Teacher flyers.

2-4 Weeks Before the End of Term

Let the planning fun begin!

• [ ] Check the display policy.
  Policies can change yearly, so confirm the guidelines with your line manager.
• [ ] Design your classroom layout.
  Sketch it out if it helps! Think about furniture placement, pathways, and the needs of your students (especially if there are mobility concerns).
• [ ] Choose your classroom décor theme.
  The fun part! Teach I’ve got you covered with the cutest ideas…
• Simply Pastels: delightful, whimsical, and cheerful.
• Hessian/Burlap: Neutral, calming, and perfect for creating a low-stimulus environment.
• Woodland: Warm, cozy, and oh-so-inviting—like a hug for your classroom.

Check out more themes here to find your perfect match.

• [ ] Prep your classroom labels.
  Label tubs, boxes, magazine boxes, trays, and group areas.
• [ ] Prep your exercise book labels.
  Use the find & replace function on your word processing programme to make this job easier.
• [ ] Plan your displays – which ones and where they’ll go.
  Based on your school’s policy, decide on:
• Maths area
• English area
• Book corner
• Birthday board
• Voice levels
• Classroom jobs
• Visual timetable
• Alphabet posters
• Growth mindset and motivational posters.
• Your classroom calendar.
• [ ] Get printing and trimming done.
  Heads up—this takes time! Print on card if you don’t want to laminate everything. Could you get help with this job? Oh yes!! Lean on your TA for printing, trimming and laminating jobs.  

Day(s) of Setting Up Your Room

It’s go time! Let’s get that classroom looking amazing.

• [ ] Back your bulletin boards.
  Use your chosen backing paper or fabric to set the tone.
• [ ] Arrange your furniture.
  Refer to your layout plan, and make sure pathways are wide and the space feels functional.
• [ ] Put up your décor.
  Use Blu Tack to test placement before committing with staples. Stand back and check everything is straight before you secure it.
• [ [ ] Sort and label your classroom storage, including the reading corner.
  If the previous teacher didn’t leave things organised, this might take some time—hopefully they were super tidy!.
• [ ] Set up your teacher trays.
  A teacher trolley with cute labels could be a lifesaver!
• [ ] Finalise seating plans and group.
  Use the info from your handover meeting to create carpet seating and groups for maths, reading, and writing.
• [ ] Label and sort exercise books.
  Group them into tubs for easy access.
• [ ] Add your finishing touches.
  Think door décor and a welcoming sign to greet your new class!

A Few Friendly Reminders

1. Your classroom doesn’t have to be perfect.
   Of course, there’s always more you can do to prepare your classroom. But remember, it doesn’t need to be perfect to welcome your students. You’ll have time throughout the term to tackle the extras. Focus on the essentials, get those sorted, and trust that everything else can fall into place as the year unfolds.
2. Set a budget and stick to it.
   Rugs, cushions, and other “extras” can get pricey. Really think about what you need. Can things be thrifted? Look for ways to save money.
3. Ask for help.
   Your teaching assistant, friend or even some eager colleagues can make a big difference. Don’t go it alone.

So, there you have it! Follow this checklist, and you’ll be all set to kick off the new academic year with confidence. Remember, a little planning now means less stress later. You’ve got this! 💪

Kizzy x

P.S. Looking for awesome decor to make the jobs of setting up easy. I've got ya! Check out this fabulous collection here. 

P.P.S Want to download a PDF version of the checklist? Get it here.