The Bittersweet End: Saying Goodbye at the End of the School Year
By Heart Teaching
As the school year draws to a close, corridors begin to quiet, classrooms grow lighter, and calendars fill with farewells, leavers’ assemblies, and end-of-year celebrations. It’s a season full of mixed emotions — joy, pride, exhaustion, and, for many, a deep sense of something hard to put into words.
At Heart Teaching, we’ve spoken to so many incredible teachers, TAs, and support staff over the years who describe this time as bittersweet. And we couldn’t agree more.
🌟 The Pride
There’s nothing quite like looking back on a year of progress.
Watching a child with additional needs master a skill that once felt out of reach. Seeing a once-quiet pupil find their voice. Witnessing bonds grow stronger — between staff and students, between classmates, between support teams. These are the quiet victories that often go unseen, but mean everything.
The end of the year is a moment to celebrate those wins — and to remember that even the small moments were never really small.
💛 The Goodbyes
Of course, with the end comes parting.
For SEN professionals especially, the bonds formed with pupils can run deep. You’ve been there for the meltdowns and the milestones, the daily routines that bring comfort, the breakthroughs that took months. Saying goodbye can feel like leaving a little piece of your heart behind.
Whether your contract is coming to an end or you’re moving on to a new role, there’s often a quiet ache that comes with the change — and that’s okay. It’s a sign of how much you’ve cared.
💭 The Reflection
This is also the season of “What’s next?”
Some educators take this time to recharge, others to plan, and many begin to reflect on where they want to grow. For SEN professionals in particular, career development often comes through experience, training, and the right school environment.
Wherever you are in your journey — whether you’re seeking your next placement, training opportunity, or a fresh start — we’re here to support you.
🌱 A Thank You
To every teacher, teaching assistant, learning support worker, and SEN professional — thank you. For your patience, your resilience, your creativity, and your care. You’ve made more of a difference this year than you may ever fully realise.
As we say goodbye to one chapter, we look forward to the next — and we’re honoured to be part of your story.
📩 If you’re thinking about your next move for September, let’s talk.
