Coming back to work after the summer holidays can be tough.

The routine and structure of the school day can be a huge shock to the system, but it doesn’t have to be unpleasant.  

An important part of going back to school, or starting at a new school, is stoking the right attitude and ethos in your various teams. 

From the magazine: The warm welcome at my new school

Quick listen: Why there is no such thing as an unteachable child

Quick read: Wellbeing: how to be a happy teacher

That takes more than the usual first-day-back Inset ice-breakers. It’s about quality time spent together to make you into a strong team.

Teacher team-building ideas

A team that understands one another, and can work well together during the year ahead.

So how can this be achieved? Try these staff social ideas to strengthen the links with your colleagues.

1. Dinner 

Who doesn’t love food and good conversation? Find a good-value restaurant with big tables and enjoy getting to know each other over some decent scran. Always check beforehand if there are any good voucher deals or teacher discounts, too.

2.  The pub

Not everyone drinks, but the classic trip to the local after school to sip a pint or two (of lemonade, if necessary) and have a chat is rarely unwelcome.

Even better if you can find a nice beer garden while the weather is still nice!

If there’s a lot of you, booking an area ahead can be a good way to avoid the hassle of table hunting, too.

3.  Afternoon tea 

I’ve had afternoon teas in the staffroom and out and about and they always bring a smile to people’s faces - and often suit people’s schedules more than a whole evening out.

4.  Quiz night 

It could be at a local pub or put together by one of the team. Either way, quizzes are a great way to get to know each other in a fun, mildly competitive environment.

5.  Board game night

The beauty of a board game night is that you can make it as big or as small as you want to, depending on the game and the numbers involved. 

I’d always vote for Scattegories or Cards Against Humanity (with the teacher expansion pack, of course).

There are now cafes dedicated to hosting board game events but if nothing is nearby you can always set one up in a classroom.

6.  Karaoke

This appeals to me because I love to sing and I love an audience, but even if you don’t, karaoke is a good laugh and forces you to stop taking yourself seriously.

And once your team has witnessed each others’ surprisingly impressive crooning (or off-key caterwauling), asking for help or advice during work won’t seem quite so daunting.

7.  Escape rooms 

These test your teamwork like no other activity - and they usually only last around an hour, so you’re not stuck together for ages (they’ll let you out if you can’t solve it!).

There are escape rooms for small groups or there are companies that will come in and take over the school hall - either way, all good fun.

8.  Bingo 

This was always a winner at my first school. Plus, if you’re feeling daring, you can always try out rock ‘n’ roll bingo - it’s the same game but with songs instead of numbers and lots of fun.

9.  Play a sport together

It could be rounders, netball, football, an obstacle course, whatever you like. You can have multiple teams or just play for fun, and usually you can do it right in the playground so it won’t cost a thing.

10.  Pot luck buffet dinner

You all bring a dish and see what turns up. It inevitably goes down well because there’s food and we all like food.

Shannen Doherty is a Year 4 teacher in South London