New Year New Start...and how we can help

Happy New Year 2026!

New Year, New Start……..that’s what everyone says.

As a teacher of many years, I, my colleagues and families have always felt we have two new years,  obviously January 1st but for us, September 1st is also the start of a new year…..a new SCHOOL year.

New classrooms, new teachers, new routines, new expectations, new shoes, new pencil cases (and that’s not just the children!)

It is exciting. There is that nervous excitement, trepidation, curiosity in the air (again, not just the children!) Everyone wondering what is around the corner, everyone thinking about new challenges ahead.

The first few weeks of the Autumn term are hard. Hard for everyone; parents maybe leaving their children for the first time in Reception and just hoping they will settle and be happy, children getting used to those new routines and expectations and hoping they will settle, find friends, do well at school.

And then of course….the teachers. Our job is of course to facilitate learning but in those early days it is about reassuring parents, getting to know our new group of little people, setting those routines and expectations (believe me all teachers know that if you don’t life is hard for everyone!), facilitating friendships and so much more, and this takes time.

Yes, learning does take place but in those early days there are many things to be learnt, not just the academics.

So.

A few weeks in, everyone is settled and we really start understanding where each child is in their learning, what they need to learn next and of course, considering what we, as teachers, are expected to deliver according to the curriculum.  We assess (soft assessment which I will talk about in another blog), we plan, we teach, we repeat.

Then it is time for a very much needed half term break (not just the children).

Half term is a time for us as teachers to reflect on the first half term and plan for the next. Fantastic we think. We know our children. We know where they are in their learning journey. We can now really focus.

EXCEPT.

Halloween, Bonfire Night.

Oh and….CHRISTMAS.

A wonderful time of the year but CRAZY!

We come back to school and have maybe three weeks of focused learning before the excitement begins for Christmas. Shops have started advertising, decorations are going up, Christmas music is being played. Focus is disappearing!

Then December hits. And believe me, whilst I absolutely love the festivities (you should see our house….grotto….at Christmas), it is VERY difficult to teach. Really teach.

The excitement of advent calendars (home and school, getting ready for the Nativity play, making    Christmas cards, Christmas decorations, Christmas lunch, Christmas party…...I could add more but you get the idea.

And honestly? Could you focus when you have reindeer antlers on and are covered in

tinsel?

So the Autumn term finishes in a flurry of excitement and everyone collapses in a heap.

Two weeks off to enjoy the festivities, recharge and then…..NEW YEAR!

This is where I get excited. Not just for New Year itself but actually for the new term ahead. It feels like a new start. A new beginning. And better still, a less cluttered term.

Now is the time for us teachers to really push forward with the children’s learning. The children are happy and settled. Routines and expectations are in place. We know our   children. And in my 28 years of experience I have found that children come back to school that little bit more mature, that little bit more ready. And it is exciting!

Now is the time to really start addressing any gaps (not that we haven’t before but remember….Christmas), identifying further areas that need some additional support.

And now is the time to consider if your child needs any additional help with reading, writing and phonics.

Here at Flourish we offer both 1:1, paired and small group tuition at very competitive prices. We will    assess your child’s needs and a personalised learning plan will be created. We pride ourselves on making the learning fun and interactive and we put your child at the centre, ensuring we are also helping to build their confidence and a love of learning.

Please do contact us  on 07526 425653 for further information.

Or drop us an email  at info@flourish-reading.co.uk