The First Fortnight After Half Term: November Leadership Checklist 2026

A short checklist for headteachers and senior leaders returning after the October break, to plan the first two weeks of the second half of the autumn term.

What's inside

• Day one: the DSL check-in, absent pupils and any resignations that arrived over half term
• Staffing and recruitment for January
• Data and inspection readiness, including any new IDSR data and the SEF
• The inclusion strategy statement due by 31 December
• Governors and the end of term
• A notes table for each week

Format: editable Word document and a PDF.

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