One Set of Results Down…One More to Go

Exam season always feels like climbing a mountain and as soon as you reach one peak, there’s another waiting just around the corner. With one set of results now in and the next looming, I’ve found myself already turning my thoughts towards September.

That “post-results” headspace is always a strange mix of relief, reflection and forward-planning. On the one hand, I’m proud of what students have achieved; on the other, I’m already asking: how can I help the next group do even better?

From Results to Reflection

Once the emotions of results day settle, the real work begins. Analysing results isn’t just about numbers, it’s about asking the right questions:

• Which topics did students perform strongest in?

• Where did patterns of misunderstanding emerge?

• What strategies made the biggest difference?

• How can I turn these insights into practical changes for next year’s teaching?

If I don’t capture these reflections now, they either vanish in the blur of summer or hit me all at once in September when it’s already too late.

Why the Planner Matters

This is where the Media Teacher Planner really comes into its own. I’ve built in pages to help with results analysis and forward planning, so nothing gets lost:

• Assessment breakdowns → note strengths and areas for improvement.

• The Narrative → highlight gaps in knowledge or skills.

• Personal Leadership → as a head of department, what do you want to achieve this year?

Instead of scattered notes, everything sits in one place alongside data, deadlines and lesson ideas so reflections can actually shape teaching practice.

Thinking Ahead to September

At this stage of the year, the new term starts to take shape in my mind:

• Which schemes should be kept, changed or deleted?

• What lessons worked well last year and what needs a rethink?

• How can I build in skills that will stretch and challenge from the start?

The planner helps me turn those floating thoughts into a concrete plan for September.

Final Thoughts

So as I tick off one set of results and brace myself for the next, I’m reminding myself that planning ahead isn’t just about reducing stress, it sets the tone for the whole year.

Here’s to making September feel less like a scramble, and more like a fresh start.