Expert advice for a smooth start to the new academic year.
As the final days of summer draw to a close, the backto-school season is upon us
once again Whether you're a student, parent, or educator, the return to school in September can evoke a mix of emotions, from excitement and anticipation to a hint of reluctance However, with the right strategies and mindset, you can make the transition smoother for you and your child. With expert advice from Quintessentially Education super tutor, Aron Penczu, and expert homeschool teacher, Anita McCullough, we've got you covered to help set your children up for a successful school year
Aron suggests that the key to a smooth transition is organisation He says that ‘one great place to start is by spending some time sorting and archiving old materials’.
This includes ‘folders, tests, essays, and even textbooks’ from the previous school year. This is a simple way to ease back into the school mindset, whilst simultaneously creating space for the new year’s materials.
An additional option for older students is to skim read the old materials as they sort through them. Aron says, ‘this will help them reflect on the main topics covered and which areas they are least confident’. Research shows that students (can potentially) lose up to two months of reading and maths skills over the summer holidays, commonly known as the ‘summer slump’, so don’t be too surprised if your child feels overwhelmed by their lack of knowledge and confidence. Whilst more families are opting to have residential tutoring during the school holidays to help mitigate the
loss of learning, Aron suggests students ‘map out what preparatory work might prove most useful before the term starts’, giving them the best possible start to the new year. This can include reading before bed, independent study sessions and arranging lessons with a private tutor to revise specific subjects.
On the other hand, Anita suggests introducing timetables and routines, as ‘showing things to be reliable produces a far happier path back to studying’ As a primary home-school teacher and residential tutor, Anita is familiar
with producing bespoke timetables for children who are learning flexibly at home, working around the family’s schedule
Anita suggests clearly differentiating between ‘school time’ and ‘family time’, by creating visual timetables and calendars with activities. This, she says, “gives children a reassuring sense of what’s going to be happening and, more importantly, what’s going to be expected of them and when’. For example, ‘that English paper may seem quick and straightforward, but it’s unlikely to be well received if it’s thrust before children during a popcorn-movie afternoon’.
Equally, Anita says that routines are very beneficial for children who are learning at home, as parents or teachers “can adjust the order or length of lessons to bring out the best in individuals or fit better with other family commitments”. Routines can also be used to mark transitions, helping children switch from being playful and energised to focused and calm. Anita suggests parents consider what could work with their children to mark the end of extended
family time or a playful activity, for example, ‘family dinner, favourite activity or playing outside’ and factor this into their child’s timetable Whether your child is returning to school, university or home-schooling this September, we hope that these top tips will help you and your child have a smooth transition. From revision lessons with tutors, to creating bespoke routines and timetables, it’s never too soon to get started
Back to school Key test dates this autumn
With September making the start of a new school year for so many, there is
a buzz of excitement in the air.
However, as students settle into the new academic year, the novelty of their new stationery and recounting stories of their summer holidays will quickly wear off as they look ahead to the work that is required and the fast-approaching deadlines and assessments that are prevalent in the first term.
Between September and late November, students aged between 10-17 will have decisive deadlines and examinations that are paramount to the next phase of their educational journey
We understand that it is often overwhelming trying to stay on top of everything, with the likes of extracurricular clubs and mounting homework, and so we have created a list of key dates to be aware of this Autumn, with links to our top tips on how to prepare:
11+ Assessment
Who? Students aged between 10-11 years old, in UK year 6 (or equivalent), applying to secondary school in September 2025. When? Between September and November. Where? Candidates typically take their test at their target school, however some exams (such as the 11+ Consortium) take place at the student’s current school.
Want to find out more? Quintessentially Education Super tutor, Lauren Williams, shares her top tips here and comments on recent changes.
13+ ISEB Common Pre-Test
Who? Students aged between 10-12 years old, in UK year 6 or 7 (or equivalent), applying to senior school for September 2027 or 2028.
When? Between late October and early November. Where? Candidates can take the test at their current school, target school or at an independent test centre.
Want to find out more? Read our ISEB common pre-test: a simplified guide, for more information about the exam and how to prepare.
16+ Entry
Who? Students aged between 15-16, in year 11, applying to Sixth Form or College in September 2025
When? Open evenings will take place throughout September and early October, with most registration deadlines no later than mid-September. Where? In-person entrance exams and interviews typically take place between late October and early November at the Sixth Form or College.
Want to find out more? To learn about the difference between the IB Diploma and A-Level’s, click here. If you are considering boarding school, you can read our article about the pros and cons here.
UK Universities
Who? Students aged between 17-18, in UK year 13 or equivalent, applying to UK university in September 2025.
When? University admissions tests are generally taken between late September and early November. The application deadline for Oxbridge, medicine, and other specialist subjects is Tuesday 15th October.
How? Applications are submitted through UCAS.
Want to find out more? Read Oxbridge applications: a simplified guide to learn about the nuances of the world-renowned University of Oxford and University of Cambridge. To better understand the application process to UK Medicine undergraduate courses, click here.
US Colleges & Universities
Who? Students aged between 16-18, in UK year 13 (US grade 12) or equivalent, applying to a US college or university in September 2025.
When? SAT and ACT exams must be taken by early September, as most Early Decision (ED, or EDI when EDII is offered) deadlines range between 1st-15th November.
How? Applications are submitted through Common App or the per state equivalent. Direct university applications can also be submitted for select specialist institutions such as Art and Design Schools
Want to find out more? Read ‘A Guide To US Undergraduate Application Submission Options’ to understand the difference between Early Decision, Early Action, and Regular Decision. To learn about admissions entrance examinations such as the SAT and ACT, click here.
Why does September feel like the start of a new year for adults too?
As the summer holiday draws to a close, there’s a palpable sense of change in the air
as students, parents and educators prepare for the long-awaited return to school and the familiar routines that accompany it.
Surprisingly, this phenomenon isn’t exclusive to students and parents. The sense of change and ‘back-to-school’ buzz extends to adults as well, and research suggests that this is in part
due to our long-established connection to the academic calendar and seasonal changes.
Are we still following the academic calendar?
It is commonly thought that the long summer holidays are a result of our agricultural roots. When the UK was an agrarian society, many children were needed to help with farm work during the busy summer months, and schools
would close to allow children to assist their families with agricultural tasks Others believe the summer holiday can be traced back to the Middle Ages, where the long breaks allowed families sufficient time to visit pilgrimage sites across Europe.
Regardless the origin of the long summer break, the summer months are now enjoyed in equal measure by schoolaged children and adults alike, with as many as two-thirds of the UK opting to take annual leave throughout July and August. The long summer holidays extend to Europe too, with some towns in France and Italy closing for the whole of August. Similarly, the ‘backto-school’ anticipation and excitement felt by students in September is shared by many adults today, despite leaving education many moons ago. They may not be going shoe shopping or buying a new pencil case, instead seeing this time of year as an opportunity to reset and reassess personal and professional goals.
Does autumn feel like the start of a new year?
During the summer months people are busy travelling and spending time outdoors. However, as the summer air turns cooler and the nights start to draw
in, people find themselves with more time indoors, and with that a chance to reflect and consider what they want to achieve in the remainder of the year.
Many people decide to learn a language or pursue a new hobby, embark on continued professional development, or retur n to education as a mature student The UCAS 2023/24 June application deadline data revealed that 16.5% of the 656,760 applications submitted were by mature students, with a total of 108,380 applications from prospective students aged between 21-35 and over This opportunity to look inward and reset extends to the workplace too, with many businesses (and even the UK parliament) seizing the opportunity to regroup, set new budgets, evaluate performance in the months leading up to September and ahead of the next fiscal quarter, or launch new projects (including Apple, who typically launch their new iPhone models in early September).
Overall, it seems that whether you loved or loathed your educational experience, it is hard to ignore the ‘back-to-school’ buzz of September and the feeling of starting a new year Whether you are setting personal or professional intentions this month, Quintessentially are on hand to help you reach your desired goals
Thank You
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