Welcome back to school – September 2021
Welcome back to school!
Looking for some tips to plan a warm welcome back to school for your new and existing students? Read on…
In this blog, we’ll share ideas for creating an inviting and inspiring learning environment. And, we’ll help you make sure your pupils feel motivated, engaged and ready for a fantastic year ahead!
A warm welcome
What’s the first thing pupils, parents and staff see when they arrive at your school?
School signage can influence the initial, and lasting, impression they’ll make. So, if you’re keen to welcome them into a positive environment, make sure you set the scene from the moment they arrive.
Your fences, gates, surrounding walls and reception area are all valuable visual spaces. Think about how you can enhance these areas to share your ethos and values as a school. And use these areas to give an instant sense of what makes your school great.
Also, consider if any of your welcome spaces need a refresh. An old, broken gate or unsightly fence may signal a lack of care for your school environment, and this can rub off on pupils. It’s vital to give them an environment they can care for and be proud of.
Outdoor learning
Through the past year, we’ve seen many schools turn to their outdoor space as additional (Covid-safe) learning areas. We hope this trend will remain, despite Covid restrictions lifting.
Learning outdoors provides a fun and dynamic environment for students. The fresh air and exposure to plants and greenery can make a huge impact.
In fact, we know that spending time outdoors can significantly improve our mental health. So, it’s worth thinking about how you can use your outdoor spaces for learning, calm time and creating a connection to nature.
Open Days
We’re delighted at the prospect of physical open days returning!
For parents and pupils, this is your chance to showcase your school and share what makes it unique. But, many schools may opt to retain their virtual open days instead of, or as well as, their physical open day.
Whatever type you choose, here are a few ways to enhance your open day;
- Choose your backdrop: for virtual open day videos, choose a backdrop that says something about your school’s ethos, or communicates the kind of school you are, visually.
- Keep it casual: if your open day is too perfect and polished, it might seem inauthentic. Don’t worry about getting every detail just right, let your learning environment speak for itself.
- Show, rather than tell: use your walls to tell stories about your school and showcase your unique approach to learning. Feature your school values, motto and branding through lots of visual representation.
- Inclusivity is everything: many parents worry more about their child’s happiness than your academic credentials. Think about how you can welcome pupils and ensure everyone feels a sense of safety and belonging.
Wall Art can help
Our bespoke Wall Art can help you communicate everything that’s special about your school. From curriculum based designs to sport, nature, literacy and wellbeing, we can create unique artwork for your school’s walls.
Get in touch to find out more about Wall Art, or visit our Case Studies section to see more examples of our work.