Atelier 21’s first 25 days of the new school year.
Once again, the warm, inviting, and homely spaces of Atelier 21 are buzzing with life. Pupils and staff alike are catching up, sharing stories of life and learning, their laughter filling the air.
After the long summer holidays, it’s hard to believe September is here, bringing with it the start of a new school year. For pupils, parents, and staff alike, this is a time of transition, full of new routines, new faces, and sometimes, nerves.
Standing in the oval piazza at the heart of the school, it feels less like the beginning of term and more like a return to a familiar, safe and happy space. Some pupils may feel excited and some anxious about resuming their routine. For others, it’s a completely new chapter, as they join the Atelier 21 family for the first time. From the youngest in reception to the oldest in Year 11, all are warmly welcomed.
For each pupil, this is a fresh start. Moving up a year not only marks a new academic stage but also a shift in how they perceive themselves and their role within the school. For staff, it’s a time to get to know new team members and teach new pupils.
Whatever stage your child is at, they aren’t exactly the same person or in the same place they were in July and neither are you.
Over the summer, they’ve gathered new experiences: spending time with and away from friends, making new ones and attending holiday clubs. Or for older pupils, creating their own social schedules. They’ve grown and changed, and though they may return to a familiar setting, they will need time to settle.
At this time of year, Hayley, the founder and owner of Atelier 21, reminds us that this first half-term is a period to adjust, to settle and to reconnect with ourselves and our community. It is a time to take the pressure off achievement and performance mode and get comfortable in learning mode.
Educational research highlights the first 25 school days are crucial for teachers to establish routines and practices that will lay strong, steady foundations for the year ahead. This period is about creating positive habits, managing stress, and setting the stage for both emotional and academic development.
Hayley refers to the early term feeling as being “nervouscited”—a heady mix of butterflies and fireworks, combining excitement with nervousness. You can read more about her thoughts for the start of the academic year HERE, or listen to her podcast episode HERE.
Atelier 21 itself is entering a new phase. Now in its fourth year of operation, the school has already navigated the challenges of educating pupils during a global pandemic, grown from 40 pupils to around 140 in September 2024, and been recognised as a leader in pioneering educational reform – both nationally and internationally.
With the arrival of new Executive Headteacher James Ashcroft, exciting, future-focused plans are being put into motion. In his welcome back address to pupils and staff, James emphasised the importance of communication, consistency, and a focus on both pupil and staff wellbeing. For pupils to thrive in a responsive, pupil-led learning environment, it’s essential they feel physically, psychologically, and emotionally safe—values that lie at the core of Atelier 21.
A key principle of the Atelier 21 model is its holistic approach to education, considering the whole of a pupil’s life, both in and out of school. Instead of viewing the first 25 days as a transition period, James speaks of the “first 25 days” holistically blending school days with what happens at home and at weekends as the most crucial for settling in – they are not separate, they must integrate to best support the pupils of Atelier 21.
For children or teens to settle well and be ready to learn, school is just one part of the equation. They spend many hours in the school environment, but without consistency and clear communication between school and home, they are left balancing different sets of expectations.
Parents play a vital role in ensuring their children transition smoothly into the new school year, making this time critical for long-term success. At Atelier 21, the philosophy encourages both parents and staff to take on the role of integrating these experiences for the pupils, ensuring the transition is as smooth as possible.
How Can You Support Your Child During These First 21 Days?
1. Establish clear routines: Help your children adjust to school life by creating traditions like setting goals, organising their study space, and ensuring they have everything they need for school. These practices foster excitement and a sense of readiness.
2. Ease their anxiety: Open conversations about school experiences without putting pressure on them. Address any concerns, whether it’s about bullying, social stress, or academic challenges.
3. Celebrate small milestones: Whether it’s the first day back, or something as simple as enjoying their favourite snack, small traditions can ease anxiety and build confidence.
4. Focus on the long-term: These first 25 days are pivotal for academic and social-emotional development. The support you provide now can set a positive tone for the rest of the year.
5. Manage your own anxieties: Often, it’s our own memories or past experiences that surface at this time of year, colouring how we approach the new school term. Try to view the experience through your child’s eyes, rather than your own.
Atelier 21 is a supportive, integrative community. There are countless resources and people to help you navigate these first 25 days and beyond. Whether it’s fellow parents, the ACA (Atelier Community Association), or the ever-knowledgeable Natalie and Maria at reception, there’s always someone to guide you. Remember, as an Atelier 21 parent, you are as much a part of this school community as your child, and your thoughts matter.
For further reading on how to support your children at the start of the new school year visit:
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/this-emotional-mind/202108/why-the-first-day-of-school-is-so-stressful
https://www.scholastic.com/parents/school-success/school-life/back-to-school/8-tips-to-prepare-first-days-school.html
https://www.parents.com/first-day-of-school-traditions-8657086
Teen specific: https://www.youngminds.org.uk/young-person/blog/tips-for-dealing-with-back-to-school-anxiety/
