As the summer sun casts its warm glow and schools appear to be in a state of dormancy, the reality is quite different at iSP. During these months, many of our schools are bustling with activity, preparing for the upcoming academic year. We take you behind the scenes to explore the essential work that ensures our schools are ready to welcome students and families back with open arms.
We also provide some insights for parents on how to prepare your child for the new school year, whether it’s their first day at school or they’re entering into their final year.
In the Classroom and Beyond: Preparing to Welcome Students Back
While students enjoy their break, our teachers are hard at work refining lesson plans and participating in professional development courses to provide the best learning experience for our students. Teachers collaborate to update resources, integrate new educational technologies and align teaching strategies with iSP’s transformative approach to learning. This preparation is vital for delivering a curriculum that not only meets academic standards but also sparks curiosity and builds confidence in students.
Our non-teaching staff are also focused on delivering a great experience for students, whether it be refurbishing and maintaining school facilities or ensuring that all administrative processes are in place for a smooth start to the school year. This period is crucial for ensuring that all learning environments are safe, modern, and conducive to student engagement – just one of the nine criteria of our Learning Improvement Process, a unique evidence-based framework that guides every school to self-evaluate and improve.
At iSP, we believe that a well-maintained physical space is fundamental to fostering a positive learning atmosphere. Our dedicated staff work tirelessly across all 86 iSP schools to ensure that every detail is considered, allowing students and parents to focus on what truly matters—learning and growth.
The Parent Perspective: Preparing for Back to School
For parents, the return to school involves its own set of challenges and preparations. Whether it be getting a new uniform or adjusting to a new sleep schedule, there’s a lot to think about when preparing for the first day of term.
Here are our top tips for preparing to go back to school:
- Create a Smooth Morning Routine: Having lie ins over the summer break can make it difficult to adjust to waking up for school. However, if you lay out clothes and pack a lunch the night before it can save time in the morning. Additionally, using a visual timer to help your child understand the timings and organised routine for getting ready will help them feel part of the process or even create their own routine if they’re old enough. Providing rewards and incentives will help your child to be motivated and own a smooth morning routine – especially in the first few weeks!
- Prepare Emotionally: Going back to school can sometimes feel overwhelming for students, this is a good time to talk openly about their feelings and fears, reassuring them that it’s normal to feel anxious. Use positive reinforcement to emphasize the fun and exciting aspects of school, such as seeing friends and learning new things. A good routine around bedtime and meal teams will help with the school routine.
- Stay in Touch with the School: Regular communication with your child’s school is key, this will help you to keep in touch with teachers to discuss any potential concerns or challenges. A few ways to do this are to attend parent-teacher meetings, actively participate in school events, and offer your support to the school however you can whether it’s volunteering or providing resources.
- Encourage Healthy Habits: Staying happy and healthy is important for everyone and there are a few ways to ensure your child gets everything they need. Prioritise food, sleep and exercise. Ensure your child has varied and nutritious meals and snacks to fuel their day, they get enough sleep to help them concentrate and stay alert and encourage them to participate in regular exercise to reduce stress and improve their overall well-being.
- Provide a Supportive Home Environment: Ensuring your child is happy at school and home is integral to their development. With this in mind, you may want to create a study space for your child to do their homework in a quiet area whilst also minimising screen time during homework hours to limit distractions. And don’t forget to celebrate your child’s achievements, acknowledge their efforts and successes, no matter how small.
We hope that all students returning to school are excited by the prospect of new lessons, seeing friends, sparking curiosities and trying new things. Whilst it can be a daunting time, preparations made by both schools and parents make this time easier where they can feel ready to learn as well as feel inspired and empowered.
Good luck!
To find an iSP school near you and discover all the student opportunities we provide to all iSP students, click here: https://internationalschoolspartnership.com/find-a-school/
