Create a purposeful start to the school year with this engaging 5-day Back to School programme designed for Secondary and Sixth Form students. Rather than relying on traditional icebreakers, this resource helps students build self-awareness, set meaningful goals, establish positive classroom expectations and develop the habits needed for long-term academic success.
Grounded in metacognition, student agency and the SMART Goals framework, the activities encourage learners to reflect on their strengths, identify personal motivations, and contribute to a positive classroom culture based on shared responsibility and mutual respect.
What's Included
- Five structured back-to-school activities
- Comprehensive Teacher Implementation Guide
- Answer key
- Assessment rubrics
- Reflection and diagnostic tools
- Print-and-go format
Activities Included
1. Professional Pitch
Students prepare a short personal introduction that explores their strengths, aspirations and the value they bring to the classroom community.
2. Goal-Setting Matrix (SMART Goals)
Students transform broad ambitions into Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound (SMART) academic goals using structured planning strategies.
3. Classroom Charter
Students collaborate to establish shared classroom expectations, values and agreements, promoting ownership and positive behaviour from the beginning of the school year.
4. Time Capsule
A reflective activity that encourages students to write messages to their future selves, identify personal motivations and develop strategies for maintaining resilience throughout the academic year.
5. Launchpad
Students create an action plan that breaks long-term goals into realistic short-term steps while identifying support networks, potential obstacles and practical solutions.
Teacher's Compass
A reflective tool that provides valuable insight into students' academic goals, learning preferences and support needs, helping teachers build stronger relationships from the outset.
Learning Outcomes
Students will:
- develop self-awareness and personal responsibility;
- set meaningful SMART goals;
- strengthen metacognitive and reflective thinking skills;
- improve self-regulation and resilience;
- contribute positively to classroom culture;
- build collaborative decision-making and communication skills.
Ideal For
- Back to School
- Beginning of Term
- Tutor Time / Form Time
- PSHE / Personal Development
- Study Skills
- Careers Education
- Student Wellbeing
- Secondary & Sixth Form
Curriculum Links
This resource supports key aspects of:
- England: National Curriculum (Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4 and Sixth Form/Key Stage 5), PSHE Education, Careers Education and Personal Development.
- Scotland: Curriculum for Excellence (Health and Wellbeing; Responsibility of All).
- Wales: Curriculum for Wales – Health and Well-being Area of Learning and Experience.
- European Frameworks: LifeComp (Personal, Social and Learning to Learn), GreenComp (where student agency and responsible participation are emphasised) and the Council of Europe's Reference Framework of Competences for Democratic Culture.
Skills Developed
- Goal setting
- Critical thinking
- Reflection
- Self-management
- Communication
- Collaboration
- Student agency
- Growth mindset
- Metacognition
- Leadership
- Decision-making
- Classroom participation
Perfect for creating a positive, respectful and motivated classroom culture from the very first week of school.
