01/09/2026
BACK TO SCHOOL โ SEN EDITION ๐
No first-day photo required.
No shiny new shoes necessary.
No perfectly packed lunchbox.
No smiling-at-the-school-gates moment needed.
Because for some families, getting through that school gate is the achievement.
Mum might be happy theyโre back at schoolโฆ but that doesnโt mean she isnโt worried.
She might be relieved to have a little bit of normality backโฆ but also anxious about how the day will go.
She might be exhausted and grateful for a few hours to breatheโฆ and then feel guilty for being happy about it.
And the kids?
They might be excited.
They might be anxious.
They might be overwhelmed.
They might not want to go at all.
They might hold it together at school and fall apart when they get home.
For SEN families, the first day back isnโt always about new shoes, haircuts and happy photos.
Sometimes itโs about small steps, big feelings, extra reassurance and simply getting through the day.
So if your back-to-school looks a little different this yearโฆ
You are not failing.
Your child is not failing.
And you donโt need to compare your first day to anyone elseโs.
There is no โperfectโ way to start a new school year.
Just take it one day, one moment, one little step at a time. ๐
And if all you managed today was getting through the school gate โ that counts.