The Ultimate Back to School Checklist for Teacher

Feel calm for September with our back to school checklist for teachers. From classroom setup to curriculum prep, you’ll find everything you need to walk into your classroom prepared. 

Why You Need a Back to School Checklist

The summer holidays give everyone a chance to relax and rejuvenate, but whilst it is absolutely vital you give yourself time to rest and recover, there are things you can do as the weeks go by to make the next school year that much easier. 

Returning to school after the summer holidays can be a mixed bag of emotions. There’s excitement at seeing familiar faces again, and anticipation of new students and classes, a new year of challenge. 

But there is a sense of pressure, something that can creep up on you as the first days get nearer and the to-do list begins to grow. From classroom displays to lesson planning, policy updates to printer queues – the mental load can feel immense.

That’s why having a structured, realistic checklist is a game-changer.

A good back to school checklist does more than just help you on track, it can help to provide clarity, reduce last-minute stress, and give you back a sense of control. Especially for newer teachers, or those new to a school, knowing what to prioritise, and when, can make all the difference.

Structured week-by-week, this checklist intended to give you a steady, manageable path through the final weeks of summer and into your first days back in your classroom again. 

So take a deep breath: let’s get organised, one step at a time!

4 Weeks Before Term Starts: Planning and Preparation

You’ve only had a couple of weeks off at this point, and you don’t need to be right at full tilt from here. Ease yourself back into things gently by starting with the bigger picture tasks, the kind will underpin a successful year. I like to think about what I want to teach, and see how I can align that with what I have taught before, and any new resources I can find.

• Check your school’s term dates and key calendar events.
  These might include parents’ evenings, school trips, mock exams, or deadlines for data input. Add them to your planner or digital calendar.
  

• Review your teaching timetable (if you have it)
  It’s easier to plan ahead once you know which classes and rooms you’ll be working with. This will help you when preparing everything from lesson plans to workload management.
  

• Start mapping out your long-term curriculum
  Map out the topics you'll be covering each term, pencilling in major assessments, revision periods, and homework schedules. This will help you pace your curriculum and prevent panic later.
  

• Look for something new
  As an English teacher like me, sometimes the fatigue from teaching can be from not refreshing what I teach. Save My Exams has analysed modern texts that you may not have used before, like these My Name is Leon revision notes!
  

• Use or create a curriculum mapping document
  Use a spreadsheet or editable planning template to track curriculum objectives, assessment points, and resources. This is especially useful if you’re teaching exam classes.
  

• Organise or register for any CPD sessions or INSET days.
  Whether it’s a whole-school inset or subject-specific training, make sure it’s in your diary - and prep anything you need for it.

2 Weeks Before Term: Classroom and Curriculum Setup

Now’s the time to make your classroom – physical and digital – feel ready for the year ahead. Think about how you work and what you need to be ready. What works for others does not always work for you, so if you need seating plans and class lists, make sure you have them. If you’re more about the right pens and highlighters at the ready, get them done now!

• Set up your classroom.
  Think seating plans, display boards, storage areas, and any resources you need to access quickly. Don’t overdo it; useful is better than Instagrammable.
  

• Organise your digital platforms.
  Set up your Google Classrooms or Teams, create folders for each class, and preload any materials you’ll need in the first few weeks.
  

• Print class lists, seating plans, and pupil data sheets.
  Make sure you know your students before you meet them. Highlight key data (SEN, EAL, Pupil Premium) and known personalities so you’re ready to differentiate from day one.
  

• Prepare the first week’s lessons and intro activities.
  Plan engaging, low-pressure activities that help students settle in while giving you insight into their starting points. Introduce topics and assess what they already know.
  

• Audit and replenish your classroom stationery.
  Stock up on essentials like whiteboard pens, glue sticks, highlighters, and spare pens for students. Organise your drawers and label anything you’ll use often.

1 Week Before Term: Final Touches and Admin

With just a few days to go, now’s the time to finalise the admin, tie up loose ends, and look after yourself.

• Confirm any SEN or safeguarding updates for your classes.
  Read pupil passports, safeguarding briefings, or learning profiles to ensure you're fully informed. Make sure you know any important background details and/or behavioural plans.
  

• Check key school policies.
  Familiarise yourself with marking, behaviour, uniform, and assessment policies so your routines align with whole-school systems. This is more important if you’re new to a school.
  

• Back up your planning documents.
  Save lesson plans, seating plans, and schemes of work both locally and in the cloud. Save often, back up always!
  

• Prepare a ‘first week survival kit’.
  Include essentials like snacks, tea bags, a USB stick, your lanyard, a spare phone charger, a planner, and a water bottle. Little things can make a big difference when the pace picks up.
  

• Block out your PPA and set personal wellbeing boundaries.
  Schedule non-negotiable time for planning, marking, and rest. Add it to your calendar now, before meetings eat it up. Set boundaries to protect your time and to protect your wellbeing. 

First Week Back: Routines and Relationships

In the first week back, you have the opportunity to set the tone for the year. Be calm, be clear, be consistent. 

• Greet your new classes and set expectations.
  Be warm but firm. Use your school’s behaviour policy to guide expectations around behaviour, participation, and transitions. Let your students know how your classroom runs.
  

• Teach routines explicitly.
  Don’t assume students know how to hand in homework or ask for help. Model everything, letting each class know your expectations.
  

• Start low-stakes assessments or knowledge activities.
  These can help you gauge where students are starting from and inform your planning. Quizzes, group tasks, or discussion starters work well. Try to keep it light and fun, removing any pressure.
  

• Touch base with your line manager or mentor.
  A five-minute check-in can set you up for support all term. Use it to flag any concerns or get clarity on expectations.
  

• Begin tracking homework or behaviour.
  Use the school’s chosen system (e.g., ClassCharts, Satchel One, Arbor) and stay consistent from day one. Establish good habits early.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I prepare before school starts?

Aim to get your long-term plans, classroom setup, and first few lessons ready before term begins. Review school policies and SEN info, and make sure you’re confident with your timetable and responsibilities. Having both physical and digital spaces organised will help you hit the ground running.

How can I reduce stress in the first week back?

Keep it simple, and don’t try to do everything at once. Focus on establishing routines and building relationships with students and colleagues. Keep expectations realistic, prioritise sleep and nutrition, and stick to your PPA time. It’s a marathon, not a sprint, and a strong, realistic plan leads to a confident start.

What’s the most important thing to organise?

Your curriculum and classroom routines. If your planning is solid and students know what to expect from you, everything else becomes much easier to manage. 

A Confident Start to the New School Year

Back to school doesn’t have to mean back to chaos. With the right preparation, you can start September feeling confident, focused, and ready to teach.

Use this checklist to pace your preparation in manageable chunks. Adapt it to suit your context, and revisit it throughout the year when you need to reset or refocus.

Looking for more resources to support your planning and organisation? Explore Save My Exams for ready-to-use resources and tools to save you time in the classroom.