1. Personalised exercise books
If there are a few things that can turn a calm classroom into chaos in seconds, it’s missing work, loose sheets, or a student frantically searching for misplaced handouts. Personalised exercise books are a small change that makes a huge difference. From day one, every pupil knows exactly where to write, revise, and keep their work safe – no more hunting through piles or repeating instructions for the hundredth time.
You can personalise them with your school logo, colours, or even subject-specific pages like key grammar rules or times tables. It’s not just about looking neat; it’s about giving students a sense of ownership and helping them develop good habits. Plus, when your class is organised from the start, there are fewer interruptions, less chasing up, and more time to actually teach.
2. Keeping everyone on track with homework diaries
The first week back is full of “did I forget something?” moments. Even the best-behaved students can forget homework, misplace sheets, or lose track of what’s coming up. That’s where a simple homework diary works wonders.
It gives pupils a consistent place to write down homework, tick off tasks, and see at a glance what’s due next. For you, that means fewer chasing up and a classroom that runs a bit smoother. Over time, it also helps students take ownership of their learning, which is a win for everyone. Plus, when diaries are structured, easy to follow, and age-appropriate, like ours are at EPSL, even the youngest pupils quickly get the hang of using them, leaving you with a little more breathing space during those hectic first days back.
3. Coloured pens and highlighters
Colour-coding works just as well for teachers as it does for students. For you, it can make lesson notes, plans, or marking much clearer, creating a quick way to see what needs attention without pages of words all blending into one. For your pupils, it’s a simple but effective way to pick out the key information that really needs to stick.
They’re especially handy during tasks where you want students to focus on certain points, which they can then copy the notes straight into their personalised exercise books. That way, the information isn’t just noticed in the moment but kept neatly in one place for revision or future lessons.
It’s a small habit that helps keep everyone organised: you, when you’re teaching and marking, and your pupils, when they’re working independently and building their own resources to look back on later.
4. Teacher organisers and planners
By the time the first week is over, you’ll already have a long list of lessons, meetings, and reminders to juggle, and that’s before homework, marking, and all the extras land on your desk. Having one reliable place to keep track of it all makes a huge difference.
A good teacher planner means you don’t have to rely on scraps of paper or try to hold everything in your head. With space for lesson notes, timetables, to-do lists, and important dates, it helps you feel more in control and less like you’re constantly playing catch-up.
At EPSL, our organisers have been shaped by feedback from teachers across the UK, so the layouts are practical and designed with real classrooms in mind. Whether you’re sketching out a termly plan, jotting down quick reminders, or prepping for parents’ evening, it’s all neatly in one place and made to last the whole school year!
5. Sticky notes
Lastly, we have sticky notes. They may be simple, but sticky notes often end up being one of the handiest things on a teacher's desk. Perfect for jotting down quick reminders, marking pages in your planner, or leaving yourself a note for tomorrow, they help keep the little details from slipping through the cracks.
They're also useful for lesson prep, whether it's highlighting a section in your notes, flagging resources to revisit, or adding a prompt to remind you about a student. Keeping a pad nearby means you can capture thoughts as they come up, without interrupting your flow. It's by no means the biggest tool in your kit, but certainly one of the most practical!
Getting all your ducks in a row for the first week of term can feel like a mad dash, but it’s often the little things that make the biggest difference day to day! At EPSL, we’ve been working with teachers for more than 50 years, so we know what really helps when it comes to planning, preparation, and keeping on top of a busy term. If you’d like to explore our full range of classroom essentials, from reading records, homework diaries, and personalised exercise books, we have plenty to help you get organised quickly.
We also offer an express books range, ideal if your school needs books turned around fast before the start of term. Like all our resources, they’re designed and printed in the UK to the same high standard. And as always, if you need any advice, just give us a ring on 01254 686 500, we’re always happy to help!
