28 Jul 2026
There is something rather special about the weeks after the summer exam season has finished.
The pressure begins to ease. The exam papers have been collected, the invigilators have gone home and, for a brief period, there is time to breathe.
For many of us, after our August results are in, our thoughts will naturally turn to September. New students. New colleagues. New routines. New challenges.
It feels like a fresh start.
But I wonder if September is more than that.
I wonder if September is quietly the beginning of next year's exam season.
Not because we're already thinking about exam planning all over again, but because the culture we create at the start of the academic year will shape how well our school responds when pressure begins to build again.
The calmest schools in exam season are rarely calm by accident.
They are usually the schools that have spent months building strong relationships, working on their lines of communication and creating routines that help both staff and students feel supported.
Exam success grows from a series of small, repeated steps. It grows from the everyday habits, conversations and decisions that happen throughout the school year.
The small things matter
It’s often the smallest things that make the greatest difference.
- A conversation where someone feels genuinely listened to.
- A colleague who checks in with another member of staff.
- A student who learns how to pause before panic takes over.
- A leadership team that makes wellbeing part of everyday practice rather than something reserved for times of crisis.
None of these moments feel particularly significant on their own.
Yet together they create something much bigger.
They create a culture.
And culture is often what carries us through our busiest and most demanding times.
Pause before you plan
As exam results come in, it is natural to focus on grades, statistics and outcomes. They all have an important place.
But alongside the numbers, there is another question worth asking.
What has this exam season taught us?
- Perhaps there were moments when communication flowed well and everyone knew what was expected.
- Perhaps there were times when pressure exposed weaknesses in systems or highlighted where stronger teamwork could have made a difference.
- Perhaps students told you they wished they had started preparing earlier, asked for help sooner or managed their wellbeing differently.
Results can tell us what happened.
Reflection helps us understand why.
Before the new school year gathers pace, it is worth taking a moment to ask not only what your school achieved, but what you have learned.
Sometimes the most valuable preparation for next year's exam season begins by honestly reflecting on what has gone before.
Preparing for September
September is not just about new timetables and new students.
It is about creating the habits, relationships and ways of working that will support everyone when the pressure begins to build again.
Small improvements made now can have a lasting impact later in the year.
Whether it is clearer communication, stronger teamwork or making time for staff wellbeing, these foundations are often what will make the greatest difference next time around.
Moving Forward
No school changes everything in one term. Nor should it.
Maybe this September your focus is on communication within your exams’ team.
You might want to work on strengthening relationships with senior leaders or encouraging colleagues to pause before reacting in the face of challenge.
One small change, consistently applied, is often more powerful than a long list of good intentions.
As another school year begins, remember that success next summer will not be built overnight. It will be shaped by the conversations you have, the relationships you strengthen and the culture you create from the very first weeks of term.
The calmest schools in exam season are usually the ones that began preparing long before exam season arrived.
A moment to reflect
Before the new academic year begins, take five quiet minutes to consider:
- Looking back, what worked particularly well during this year's exam season?
- What one lesson have you learned that could make next year calmer or more effective?
- What is one small change you could introduce this September that your future self will thank you for?
If you are looking to build a calmer, more resilient approach to the school year, there are now a growing range of short professional development modules available through the Learning and Skills Office (LASO), exploring topics such as communication, wellbeing, exam mindset and keeping calm under pressure.
For more articles and practical wellbeing ideas for schools, visit www.geraldinejozefiak.com.