5 Tips to Help You Plan Your Summer Stock Order
The summer term is here, which means it is time to think about what your school needs to be ready for the final weeks of this academic year. Summer is often an extremely busy time for staff and students alike, with exams, plays, Sports Day and parties, to name but a few! It pays to plan ahead, as events come thick and fast, usually from the day you step back into the school building.
The summer term is also a great time to think about the new academic year in September and what improvements you may want to make over the holidays. Whilst budgets are tight and finances stretched, there will always be essential improvements that are needed to make your students’ learning experience as meaningful as it can be.
Here are 5 tips to help you prioritise what you need to think about at the start of the summer term.
Exam Season Preparation
Every school in the UK will have some type of exam scheduled in for summer, be it primary, secondary, or higher education. Exam provisions are essential, to ensure smooth running and to take away the stress for students and staff alike. For example, Year 6 children will be taking their SATs in May and will need sharp pencils, rulers, rubbers and protractors. For older children, the stationery may vary; attention will turn to seating and how to prepare halls for large-scale exams. The main aim is to make sure that students are as comfortable as possible and able to perform to their abilities. This may be the time to plan ahead and set up a recurring order for the same time each year, so you are always prepared for when exam season rolls around.
Wider Curriculum Projects
After exams are over, the focus shifts. Lessons may not be as formal as usual and the timetable may change to incorporate more project-based work. This brings in new challenges and may require different resources. For example, in science lessons, children may plan and build a rocket to launch in the playground. This will require lots of glue, tape and patience from the teachers! However, it may be slightly different to the usual stationery order you place, so it is worth talking to staff about what they are planning over the summer months. These are often the activities that children remember the most- a chance for them to be creative and think differently.
The Variable Weather
Summer weather can be a teacher’s best friend or worst enemy! The long, hot days can be lovely for outdoor learning, but a nightmare for being cooped up in the classroom. A good fan is essential for a classroom, to keep everyone cool and focused on their learning. Another essential is a first aid kit in case anyone is struggling with the heat and needs an ice pack. Keeping a classroom ventilated helps students stay on task and teachers able to deliver their lessons as planned.
Classroom Displays
Fantastic Science Display by a Year One teacher, teachingdiaries_ over on Instagram. Used with permission.
Classroom displays are a vital part of a child’s learning, containing information for the topic they are currently learning about, as well as showing pride in their work and expressing the ethos of a school or learning environment. To keep displays maintained requires work, as well as having the resources to hand to regularly update what is going on the wall. Presentation is key- displays must be easy to access and read, as well as attractive and in keeping with school policy. It is essential to order ahead of time, as stocks can become depleted very quickly at the end of term, with staff rushing to sort out their classrooms before the holidays.
Getting Ready for September
As soon as it has started, the summer term is gone and with it, the start of the summer holidays. Whilst this is always welcome, it is also a good opportunity for school business managers to plan in any essential maintenance that the school might need, as well as replacing any classroom furniture that is past its best. This has the added incentive of showing off to prospective students and promoting your place of education as the best place to learn. Classroom trends come and go, but it is always good to be up to date with the latest learning initiatives and pedagogy, which may involve a change in classroom furniture and organisation. Having the conversations early prepares staff for what they can expect when they return to work in September.
With careful planning and organisation, ordering stock for the summer term can be a rewarding job, making teachers’ lives easier and leaving them to focus on creating enriching learning experiences for their students.
Contact Us
If you’d like to know more about how Paper Plus can provide your school with the supplies and stationery it requires, please get in touch. Call us on 01444 238 050 or pop us an email at sales@paperplusuk.com
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