September is here, and for many families the new school year is already beginning. Whether you’re returning to school routines or settling into a new school in Barcelona, a little preparation can help make the transition smoother.
This practical checklist covers the key things to keep in mind during the first weeks of term, helping your family start the year feeling organised and confident.
What administration do I need to sort before the new school year?
- Update any contact details, emergency contacts, or medical information that may have changed since last year.
- Check the school calendar for the first day of term, any orientation days, and any staggered start arrangements for younger year groups.
- If your child has any medical needs, dietary requirements, or additional learning support arrangements, confirm these with the school before term begins rather than on the first day.
- If you are new to Barcelona and still choosing a school, speak to the admissions teams at the international schools you are considering as early as possible. Places at the most established schools fill up quickly. At Hamelin-Laie, our admissions team is available to guide families through the process.
What does my child need for the first day of school?
- Check last year’s uniform for fit. Children grow significantly over the summer and a uniform that fitted in June may not be comfortable in September.
- Check the school’s stationery list and buy supplies as soon as possible.
- Label everything before the first day. Clothes, shoes, bags, water bottles, and stationery all benefit from clear name labels, particularly in the early weeks when children are still finding their feet.
How do I rebuild routine before the new school year?
- Start moving bedtimes earlier by 15 to 30 minutes every few days. Reintroduce a morning routine before term begins. Get up at school time, have breakfast together, and practise the school run even when it is not needed yet.
- Reduce screen time gradually rather than cutting it abruptly on the first day, which tends to cause more resistance than a steady wind-down.
- Involve your child in getting organised. Children who have a say in packing their school bag or laying out their uniform feel more in control of the transition.
How do I help my child with back to school nerves?
- Talk to your child about the new school year. Ask what they are looking forward to and what they are worried about. Listen without rushing to reassure.
- Connect with other families before term starts. Parent networks and school welcome events help children and parents feel less alone in the transition.
- If your child will be starting at Hamelin-Laie in September, our admissions team is available to answer questions and help families prepare. Families often tell us that a visit to the campus before term begins makes a real difference to how settled their child feels on the first day.
How should I help my child prepare academically?
- Encourage reading in English. Any reading counts, whether that is novels, comics, news articles, or subtitles on English-language films and TV.
- For children moving from a Spanish or Catalan school to an international school, talk through the differences in teaching style they are likely to encounter. The curriculum frameworks used at international schools tend to be more enquiry-based and less textbook-led than the Spanish national system.
- For older children starting IGCSE or IB courses at Hamelin-Laie, encourage some light reading around their chosen subjects over the summer. Arriving at September with some context for new material makes a meaningful difference in the first few weeks.
How do I help my child make friends before term begins?
- Look out for any welcome events or orientation sessions the school runs before term and make sure your child attends.
- Connect with other parents in the school community. Most international schools in Barcelona have active parent networks that welcome new families.
- Encourage your child to sign up for an extra-curricular activity. Children who join a club or team early tend to settle in faster than those who go straight home after lessons. At Hamelin-Laie, a wide range of extra-curricular activities runs from mid-september.
What extra steps should families new to Barcelona take?
- Make sure you know the school’s drop-off and pick-up arrangements, including any transport options if your child will not be walking or cycling to school.
- Do a practice run of the route to school before the first day. A dry run in the final week of August prevents a stressful morning in September.
- Find out whether the school has a buddy system for new students. At Hamelin-Laie, new students are welcomed into the school community with structured settling-in support from both teachers and peers from day one.
Reach out to the admissions team with any questions. At Hamelin-Laie, our team is available throughout the summer and happy to help families prepare for the new school year.
