As we head for the final stretch in the school year, here’s a helping hand with what to have a think about as you pass your class on to their next teacher.
Some teachers may prefer to meet their new class first and only then meet the previous teacher. This lets them gain their own interpretation and first impressions of the class.
Personally, I prefer to meet my new class armed with a little background information, especially any of those useful little insights on any kids in the class who may need more reassurance or who may be anxious. If I can avoid any triggers in the first few days, it can all help to make for a better start.
Each situation and school will differ but here’s just a few things I have found, or would find, useful to be shared when classes transfer.
Class records and admin information
When completing handovers, I like to do a quick run through on each child. I look to include their overall strengths/weaknesses, something they like, any siblings, contact with parents in that year, any ongoing concerns/developments, etc. Anything that will be useful to note for next year’s teacher.
Be aware of not giving many opinions in this part as this is the teacher’s first impression of the kids they’ll see everyday next year too.
Useful information to collate can include:
- Class list: Provide the most up to date class list with student names, addresses and contact details of parents. This will probably be provided digitally too but having a hard copy is handy for note taking during handover meetings.
- Standardised test results: Provide an overall scope of class abilities and a copy of results.
- Medical & Health Information: Share any pertinent health information (e.g., allergies, medications) for students with medical needs
- Behavioural or Emotional Notes: Share any specific behavioural or emotional issues, and note any ongoing support provided (e.g. support accessed this year (school support, school support plus, etc.), behaviour interventions, speech and language attended, play therapy attended, etc).
Class Content Profile
- Books and Programmes covered in the year: It can be useful to highlight chapters and topics that were missed/not taught or that may benefit from a revisit.
- Classroom Setup/Arrangements: If there are any preferred classroom setups or seating arrangements that worked particularly well that might help with the initial transition in the new school year, e.g. calm corner access/signal, seating arrangements, etc.
Classroom Environment
Every teacher works differently with a class but a brief point on what your expectations were with them to allow next year’s teacher to develop this with the class.
- Behaviour/Classroom Strategies: Share successful strategies for behaviour management and any ongoing concerns.
- Class Responsibility Systems: List student jobs, tasks, and routines for maintaining classroom order (e.g., leaving the classroom, safety measures, desk eco system for distributing materials, etc.)
Tech & Online Resources
- Logins & Passwords: Provide login information/profile information for online learning platforms (Google Classroom, Seesaw, Reading Eggs, etc.), as well as any essential apps used during the year.
- Tech Equipment: List any classroom technology that the class are used confident with or used to such as chromebooks, iPads, etc.
One final note but one important one
- Communication: Detail how you’ve been communicating with parents/guardians for the year (for example through newsletters, emails, online notices, google classroom, photos on google drive, etc.). This helps make the transition from one teacher to another smooth and allows for continuity in building new relationships with parents within the class.
Hopefully something there for you to consider.
As we look to the end of the school year and a key transition for the children, here are some other articles you might want to check out:
Leave a Comment