Best back-to-school activities
The start of a new school year is full of fresh possibilities – new pupils, new routines and the chance to set a positive tone that lasts all term long. But after a long break, it can take time for children to settle back in, reconnect with their peers and find their learning rhythm. That’s where the right resources can make all the difference. The best back-to-school activities help pupils feel comfortable and confident. However, they also support key skills like writing, oracy and personal development – all while building a sense of classroom community.
Whether you’re looking for goal-setting worksheets, icebreakers, creative writing tasks or classroom display ideas, we’ve rounded up some of our best back-to-school activities to help you start the year strong…
Create a positive classroom culture
These oracy-focused resource packs for KS1 and KS2 support pupils in exploring classroom expectations collaboratively. Using images, discussion cards and writing tasks, children will reflect on what makes a positive learning environment. They'll work together to create a shared set of class rules, promoting respectful relationships and key speaking and listening skills.
Back-to-school goal setting activities
This KS2 resource pack helps pupils set and track personal goals across the academic year. Featuring a PowerPoint to introduce goal-setting and a printable booklet for recording progress termly, it encourages reflection, motivation and meaningful conversations about achievement – either as a class or one-to-one.
Get to know your pupils
Our printable A5 ‘Back to School’ passports support pupils from EYFS to Year 6 in reflecting on their achievements, interests and hopes for the year ahead.
Ideal for use at home or in the classroom, they offer space for drawing and writing, helping children reconnect with school life and share valuable information with their new teacher. Our Year 6-to-7 version also supports smooth transition to secondary school by encouraging reflection and relationship-building.
Download the pack for your year group here:
Reignite a love of writing
Help pupils rekindle their enthusiasm for writing by recounting real-life summer adventures. Featuring a seaside-themed model text, inspiring images and supportive planning materials, it guides children to explore the past tense and practise writing with purpose.
This UKS2 resource uses Oh, the Places You’ll Go! by Dr Seuss to kick off the school year with purpose and positivity. Through shared reading, creative writing, drama and art, pupils will explore their hopes, goals and the challenges ahead. It's an ideal way to reignite a love of reading and writing while setting the tone for a reflective, ambitious year.
Back-to-school classroom organisation
Kick off the new academic year with a vibrant classroom display pack designed to help teachers create an organised, welcoming space.
Featuring colourful labels, a visual timetable, a birthdays poster and a cheerful welcome sign, this pack makes it easy to display key information clearly and attractively – setting the tone for a well-structured and engaging year ahead.
Even more back-to-school activities
Help your new class break the ice with this fun back-to-school bingo game. The goal is to complete the entire bingo board while learning more about your new classmates.
Looking to refresh your behaviour management skills for your new class? Expert Sue Cowley shares tips on how to quickly capture your pupils’ focus and attention. Watch more behaviour videos from Sue here.
Set the tone for the year by starting each day with a Morning Challenge. These free sample resources are designed for full-screen use on an interactive whiteboard and include activities covering wellbeing, maths, English and more.