We do need to get organised....

It's not going to sort itself!

On the 1st day of the new academic year you will walk into your classroom and start your career as an ECT. Your preparation for this needs, of course, to start many weeks ahead and gradually prepare you to make a confident start and successful progression. This Primary practice "Step by step" guide will support you through the whole process - from designing your classroom layout; planning your term right through to that vital first day....everything is covered to ensure that on your first day you're FULLY prepared and ready to start!
Take me straight to the course
We do need to get organised....

  • Planning ahead

    A new academic year involves preparation across many different areas. These may initially appear independent but are naturally interlinked within your whole teaching strategy and individual style.

  • Combining all the elements

    Successful teaching brings together all these planned elements to form your "teaching environment"....vital for success in children's learning.

  • Step by step

    Step by step means just that...every area covered - every area planned.

Guiding you through...

  • Dr Charles Watson

    Dr Charles Watson

    With over 30 years experience at all levels of Primary Education he writes with purpose, directness and a much needed sense of humour.Charles has spent his career exclusively in Primary Schools varying from small village schools to very large inner city establishments with multi level staff organisation. His writing reflects the situations he has encountered and the solutions found including do’s and don’ts based on the harsh realities of success and failure!“Teaching is a multi skilled and multi layered career – it is most definitely NOT based on the delivery of material to classes full of enraptured children (if only that was the case!) – successful teachers like successful sportsmen and women and successful business leaders make the job look easy. But look closer and you will see the hard work and preparation and practice that has got them to this point.”All teachers; just like all children, are individuals – Charles is here to help you develop your own style and approach and point you in the direction you want to go.

Course curriculum

"Preparing for September"

  • 1
    Introduction and welcome to "Preparing for September."
  • 2
    Let's get organised!
  • 3
    Your new classroom.
  • 4
    Getting the paperwork sorted - Planning for the term.
  • 5
    ECT Induction reference documents
  • 6
    Planning for the term / 1/2 term
  • 7
    Medium and Short term planning
  • 8
    Assessment - Principles and practice
  • 9
    Classroom and Behaviour management
  • 10
    The new academic year - getting started!
  • Welcome to the course
  • Visiting your school before the summer term ends...what you need to know Your school visit - what do you need to know? Getting personally organised Setting up your files. Stamps, stickers and stars
  • Your 1st visit to your classroom in the holidays Start by drawing your classroom Your teachers desk Arranging your classroom 1 Arranging your classroom 2 Arranging furniture and other considerations Back into your classroom to try things out. Where do I store exercise books? Displays and book corners Displays 1 Displays 2 Working walls - what are they and how do they work? Display board fillers and wow displays Games and comics for wet playtimes?
  • Paperwork - National Curriculum and ECT Induction (this has not changed) Primary National Curriculum Curriculum jigsaw for each year group Learning content all year groups
  • ECT Induction guidance 2021 ECT Induction guidelines summary Early Careers Framework ECT Induction progress tracker 2021 - 2023
  • Planning for a new term in Primary School (overview) Introducing LONG term planning LONG term planning - sorting it out! Planning your term - Long term planning ECT - Long term planning blanks Curriculum Timing document EYFS example ...Long term planning
  • Primary School planning - Medium term MEDIUM term planning - making a start MEDIUM term planning 2 MEDIUM term planning - Maths and English Medium term blank Primary School - Short term planning What is SHORT term planning and how is it done? Your Class timetable A basic timetable and curriculum balance
  • Assessment principles Practical assessment strategies Keeping track of your term I always test at the start of a new academic year Marking - a sensible approach Mark books - a simple way to track unit progress Unit tests - what are they Assessing Foundation subjects (part 1) Assessing foundation subjects (part 2) Tracking and assessing reading
  • It's your class! Classroom management Stacking Chairs - Classroom management Primary Classroom Management (part 1) Primary Classroom Management (part 2) How to get the attention of a chatty class A simple Classroom management approach for a "young class" My class doesn't work quickly enough (part 1) My class doesn't work quickly enough (part 2) Getting work done (part 1) Getting work done (part 2) Behaviour management basics Behaviour management practicalities Classroom behaviour management (part 1) Classroom behaviour Management (part 2.) How to get a GREAT atmosphere in your class Lining up and moving around the school or venue
  • Starting the new academic year - day 1 Starting the new academic year - day 2 Tests at the start of the new year Reading a class story

Course cost