Starting your school placement is an exciting step in your journey as an educator! Entering the classroom for the first time can feel daunting, but we're here to support you every step of the way. To help you prepare for your school placement , we've put together a guide to help you know what to expect and practical tips on getting the most out of your school training. 

Day One of Your Placement: What to Expect

When you arrive:

• Ask for your key contact at reception, they’ll show you around and help you settle in.

• Bring a copy of your DBS and a form of ID (passport or driver’s licence).

During your first day, expect to:

• Take notes and meet your colleagues.

• Learn about school policies and expectations.

• Observe and engage with the school environment in a professional and confident way.

To get the most out of your placement, consider these guiding principles:

1. Be Professional and Approachable

• Agree your working patterns with your mentor or class teacher, including arrival and departure times.

• Dress in a way that fits the school’s dress code.

• Use polite, professional language with staff, pupils and parents.

• Engage with school life by attending staff meetings, events and other appropriate activities.

• Maintain healthy professional boundaries with pupils, and connect with them in a positive, supportive way within the school setting.

2. Follow School Policies and Safeguarding Guidance

• Familiarise yourself with key policies, including safeguarding, behaviour, absence as well as health & safety policies.

• Report any concerns about a pupil’s safety or wellbeing immediately to the school’s Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL). You are part of a team, never handle these concerns on your own.

• Sign in and out according to the school’s procedures, and wear a lanyard where provided.

3. Maintain Confidentiality

• Keep all pupil information confidential and discuss pupils only with appropriate staff.

• Be mindful about what you share online and on social media.

• When uploading course documentation to the Mosaic platform, avoid including pupils’ full names or photographs.

4. Take Initiative and Engage Actively

• Build strong professional relationships with school staff, pupils, parents and external agencies.

• Offer to help with classroom preparation and extra-curricular activities where appropriate.

• Prepare for your weekly meetings with your in-school mentor.

• Reflect on your practice regularly and listen to constructive feedback, applying it thoughtfully.

• Take responsibility for your professional development and seek opportunities to broaden your experience.

• Build the subject knowledge you need to teach effectively within the National Curriculum and EYFS Framework.

• Ask questions and be curious, taking an active role in your learning ensures a richer experience.

5. Communicate Clearly and Consistently

• Keep in touch with your Personal Tutor, Subject Lead and Placement Coordinator - we're all here to support you on your journey into teaching.

• Check your BPN email account regularly to ensure no communications are missed.

• Follow your school’s staff absence policy if you are unwell and record any absence on your BPN Attendance Tracker.

• Be open and responsive to feedback, and use it as a tool to grow your confidence and skills.

Your first day as a student teacher is about learning, observing and starting to build your professional presence. By following the above guidance, you’ll set a strong foundation for the rest of your placement. Remember, every question you ask and every note you take a is part of becoming the inspiring teacher you aim to be.

You’ve got this!

If you have any questions, please get in touch via:

 Email: placements@bestpracticenet.co.uk

 Tel: 0117 920 9200