The importance of teacher reflection: Why June is the perfect time to look back

As the school year draws to a close and the pace of the classroom begins to slow, June offers teachers the perfect opportunity to look back on their practice, reflect on their growth, and start planning for the year ahead. 

This year marks our 10th anniversary as a teacher training provider – a decade dedicated to developing inspirational teachers who champion young people to achieve and thrive in every classroom. And if there’s one thing we’ve seen proven time and again, it’s this: the most impactful teachers are reflective teachers. 

In this blog, we explore the research behind reflective practice, why it’s especially important in June, and how you can use it to set yourself up for success in the next academic year. 

Why is June the perfect time for teachers to reflect? 

June sits at a unique crossroads. The whirlwind of teaching has reached its crescendo and the year is still fresh in your mind. You’ve just completed a cycle of learning, experimentation, challenge, and growth – and reflection helps you turn that experience into wisdom. 

Educational research consistently shows that reflective practice improves decision-making, enhances classroom strategies, and builds professional resilience. It’s also a core pillar of high-quality teacher training – something we’ve embedded deeply into our approach over the past 10 years. 

Reflection as one of our core teaching qualities 

At the heart of our approach to teacher development is the belief that great teaching is shaped not just by what teachers know and do, but by who they are. That’s why being reflective is one of our IL6 – the six key personal and professional qualities we believe define a well-rounded, inspirational teacher. These qualities are directly informed by the Teachers’ Standards, ensuring our approach is rooted in national expectations while supporting deeper professional identity and growth. 

A reflective teacher critically reviews their performance and progress with an introspective mindset, recognising strengths and weaknesses, and identifying next steps for continuous growth and improvement. It’s this mindset that transforms everyday experience into meaningful learning — and why reflection is not just encouraged, but embedded throughout our training programmes. 

The research behind reflective practice 

Donald Schön: Reflection-on-Action

Schön (1983) made a key distinction between two types of reflection: 

Reflection-in-action – reflecting spontaneously as the event unfolds. 

Reflection-on-action – looking back after the event to evaluate and learn. 

In June, reflection-on-action becomes especially powerful. You’ve lived the full cycle of teaching; now you can step back, see the bigger picture, and draw out key lessons that will shape your approach next year. 

Kolb’s Experiential Learning Cycle

Kolb’s model (1984) places reflection as a vital stage between experience and improvement. The cycle includes: 

Concrete Experience – e.g. delivering a lesson. 

Reflective Observation – what happened and why? 

Abstract Conceptualisation – what can I learn from this? 

Active Experimentation – how will I apply it going forward? 

Without reflection, learning stagnates. With it, every challenge becomes an opportunity to grow. 

Making reflection work for you 

You don’t need a formal journal or structured template (though they help). Here are three simple ways to begin reflecting this June: 

1. Timeline reflection

Sketch out your academic year month by month. What went well? When did you feel most challenged? What patterns do you notice? 

2. Self-assessment check-in

Rate yourself across key areas: behaviour management, planning, assessment, subject knowledge, pupil progress. Where were you and where are you now? What will you do to inch up the scale next year? 

3. Set a CPD focus for summer or autumn

Based on your reflection, choose one professional development goal. Whether it’s improving questioning techniques or embedding retrieval practice, one clear focus is better than ten vague intentions. 

A decade of reflective practice 

As we continue to celebrate our 10th year of teacher training, we’re taking the opportunity to reflect, too. In the last decade, the education landscape has changed dramatically – new curricula, evolving technology, greater mental health awareness – but the importance of teacher reflection has never diminished. 

We’ve seen reflection turn frustration into breakthrough moments, help early career teachers rediscover their purpose, and guide mentors in refining their support. It’s the quiet, often invisible engine behind sustainable progress in education. 

So as you head into the summer, take some time to reflect. What have you learned? What will you take forward? What will you leave behind?