Starting your teaching career can feel overwhelming—especially at the beginning of the school year. As an Early Career Teacher (ECT), you’re juggling new routines, building relationships, and trying to stay on top of everything.
To help you kick off the year with confidence, here are five top ECT tips for starting the school year strong—all practical, time-saving, and tested in real classrooms.
✅ 1. Respond to Emails Right Away (Or Take Action Immediately)
It’s easy to glance at an email and think, “I’ll reply later”, but later often turns into never. As a teacher, your day can get hectic fast. The best habit you can build is to respond to emails straight away or act on them immediately if a task is involved.
Doing this means:
-
You won’t forget to reply.
-
You avoid being chased down later.
-
You can tick jobs off before they pile up.
This small change can dramatically reduce your mental load and keep your inbox manageable.
✅ 2. Write Everything Down (Yes, Everything)
From login details and classroom tips to the name of a child’s pet fish - write everything down. As an ECT, you’re bombarded with information, and it’s impossible to remember it all.
Keep your planner, notebook, or even a notes app handy. You’ll thank yourself later when you need:
-
A forgotten password
-
A parent’s name
-
A great book recommendation
Jotting things down also helps you process new information and track your progress over time.
✅ 3. Don’t Reinvent the Wheel
You don't need to create everything from scratch! One of the most important ECT tips is to use what already exists, especially when it comes to planning and resources.
Before designing a lesson or activity:
-
Ask colleagues what they’ve used before.
-
Look for existing resources you can adapt.
-
Use templates or trusted online tools.
Even if you tweak materials, starting with a solid foundation saves time and helps you learn what works in practice.
✅ 4. Pre-Empt Problems Before They Happen
Being proactive is one of the most underrated teaching skills. A common classroom issue? Lost belongings. So early in the year, take time to:
-
Label everything - jumpers, coats, PE kits, water bottles.
-
Check student items - don’t assume they’re already labeled.
-
Involve your pupils - teaching them to take responsibility.
It might seem minor, but this simple step will save you hours of frustration over the year. You’ll also avoid uncomfortable conversations about missing items with parents.
✅ 5. Be kind, but Set High Expectations Early
As an ECT, it’s completely natural to want to be liked by your students but it’s just as important, if not more so, to be respected. The good news is, you don’t have to choose one over the other. You can be warm, approachable, and still maintain clear professional boundaries. One of the best ways to achieve this balance is by setting high expectations from the start.
Whether it’s behaviour, presentation of work, punctuality, or class participation, make your standards clear from day one. Let your pupils know what you expect, explain why it matters, and most importantly - stick to it.
-
Be consistent in enforcing your rules.
-
Follow through with consequences or praise.
-
Apply expectations fairly and calmly.
Doing this builds trust, reinforces your authority, and creates a classroom environment where students feel safe and focused. When children know exactly where they stand, they are far more likely to thrive - both academically and emotionally.
🏁 Final Thoughts
Starting strong as an ECT doesn’t mean doing everything perfectly—it means building smart habits, being prepared, and using your time wisely. Trust the process and remember to take time for yourself too. These top ECT tips for starting the school year strong will help you stay organised, reduce stress, and lay the foundation for a confident, successful year ahead.
