Some teachers can switch off  the moment they leave their classroom on the last day of term - everything is sorted and ready to pick up again in the first week of September. 

Others work on for another week so they can relax through August, and for many it is not possible to relax until lying on a sun bed somewhere.


I always struggled to switch off at the end of the summer term - so many loose ends to tie together with frayed edges appearing all the time.

However, this year may be different for all of us because of the glorious weather. I have visited a lot of schools in the past few weeks and there is a relaxed, 'Mediterranean' atmosphere in many of them - obviously hiding the frenetic work going on behind the scenes.

One thing I always fail to switch off from on holiday is the opportunity to take photos that 'may be useful' in the classroom or to share with teachers. Whether it's a hiding starfish or a tiling pattern at Pompeii - maths opportunities are all around us. Digital photos help - no worries about taking too many.

This summer will be busy for me - writing the new planning package will take up a fair chunk of time. I am also preparing for a new role from September - Senior Teaching Fellow at Warwick University Institute of Education. I am very excited about taking this on and looking forward to working with new colleagues. I'll certainly try, but may struggle, to switch off from primary maths over the summer.