Social Story Templates

Social Stories About School

School can be exciting, busy, brilliant, loud, funny, and sometimes a tiny bit chaotic all before 9am. One minute a child is proudly wearing their uniform backwards and announcing they are “completely ready,” and the next minute someone cannot find their shoe, their water bottle, or the emotional strength to face assembly.

That is exactly why social stories can help. They take all those big school moments and break them into calm, simple steps. This page brings together our social stories about school so children can feel more prepared for everyday routines, classroom expectations, friendships, new experiences, and those little wobbly moments that can make a school day feel much bigger than it looks from the outside.

School social stories illustration

Choose from the topics below -

I love going to school. I can try to remember these things everyday.

School
is fun !!!

Morning Routine for School

morning routine school

The morning routine broken down into simple, manageable steps so children can feel prepared, organised, and in control before leaving for school.

Going to school is fun. In school, I see my friends and learn new things every day

Classroom Behaviour

classroom learning school social-skills

What respectful and calm behaviour in the classroom can look like.

It is good to be home from school. When I come back, I can try and remember these important things

I'm tired but I must remember

When I Come Home from School

routine school

Simple after-school steps like hanging up their bag, taking off shoes, changing clothes, and washing up before having food.

In the classroom, when my teacher asks a question, I sometimes raise my hand to answe

When I Raise My Hand to Answer

classroom school social-skills waiting

How to join in during lessons in a calm and confident way.

I love solving math sums in school and at home

Making Mistakes while Learning

classroom feelings learning school

That getting something wrong does not mean they have failed.

Summer break is almost over. School is starting soon and I will go to a new class

Back to School

routine school transitions

What to expect when returning to school and how to feel prepared for the change in routine.

I will start my new school very soon. I am so excited to learn new things and make new friends

New
school

Starting New School

classroom friends school transitions

What it may be like to begin at a new school and how to feel prepared for the experience.

I will be going on a school trip with my class and teachers

I am so excited!

Going on a School Trip

school school-trip travel

What a school trip may involve so they can feel more prepared.

Sometimes, I need to wait in a line at school to get my turn

It's also called queuing

Queuing in School

school waiting

Why queues happen and how to wait in a calm and safe way.

Sometimes we have a fire drill at school to help us practise staying safe

Fire Drill at School

fire-drill safety school sensory

That a fire drill is for practice and that adults are there to help.

Sometimes my teacher gives us work to complete during class

Please try to complete
 this work in class

Completing Work in Class

classroom learning school

What happens when a teacher gives work and how they can begin and keep going step by step.

At my secondary school, I move from one class to another for each lesson

Getting to Class on Time

organisation routine school

How to manage moving between classes calmly and more confidently.

Sometimes, subject teachers give us homework and instructions on how to do it 

Writing Homework in my Planner

homework independence organisation school

How to record their homework clearly and confidently.

Every evening before the school day, I can remember to pack my schoolbag for the next day

Packing My School Bag

independence organisation routine school

Packing a school bag in simple steps so children can feel ready for the next school day.

Soon, I will be walking to school on my own. This will help me feel confident and independent

I'm so excited

Walking to School on My Own

independence safety school travel

What to expect on the route and how to stay safe when travelling independently.

Soon, I will be taking a bus or train to go to school on my own 

I'm so excited

Taking Public Transport to School on My Own

independence safety school travel

The journey to school on public transport broken into simple, clear steps so children can feel more prepared and safe.

Sometimes in school, there are many food choices at lunch and break times

I can't decide what
 to eat

Making Healthy Choices at School Lunch

food routine school

Pausing, noticing hunger, and making balanced food choices at lunchtime.

Sometimes I ride the school bus to go to school or on a school trip

I'm excited to go on
the trip

School Trip Bus Ride

safety school school-trip travel

Helps children prepare for a school trip to make their journey safe, predictable, and comfortable.

Sometimes I visit the zoo with my family or school

We are going to
the zoo

Visiting a Zoo

school school-trip travel

Help children manage noise, busy places, walking long distances and feel calm, safe, and confident while exploring animals and new environments.

Sometimes I visit a museum or art gallery with my family or school

We are going to the museum!

Visiting a Museum or Art Gallery

school school-trip travel

Help children manage walking long distances and feel calm, safe and confident while new environments.

Sometimes I go on a school trip with my class and teachers

It's my class trip today

Safety on School Trips

safety school school-trip travel

Help create safety awareness in children while travelling, staying with their group, and following instructions in new environments

On school mornings, I can get ready on time for school and sit at the table for breakfast

Breakfast on School Mornings

morning routine school

Helps children follow a calm, structured breakfast routine and get ready for school without getting stressed

Sometimes, I forget to pack my schooI bag and bring important things that I need at school

Oh no! I forgot my diary at home

Packing My Schoolbag Every Day

morning routine school

Encourages children to use a clear, structured routine for packing their School bag the night before School so nothing is forgotten

Every day, I go to school to learn new things

School is fun

I Can Stay in My Classroom

classroom safety school transitions

Helps autistic children stay in the classroom by understanding school routines, using safe spaces, and asking trusted adults for help when needed

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FAQs

You do not need to save these stories for a really big problem or a really big school moment. Often they work best when used early, calmly, and more than once.

  • Read the story before the situation - A calm moment works best. Try reading it the night before, that morning, or a few days in advance.
  • Keep the language light and reassuring - This is not a test. It is more like giving a child a friendly map before they start the journey.
  • Repeat when needed - Children often benefit from hearing the same message a few times. Familiar words can make school moments feel much more manageable.
  • Come back to the story afterwards - After the school day, trip, or tricky moment, you can revisit the story and say, “You did it. That part happened just like we talked about.”

These stories are helpful for autistic and neurodivergent children, and for any child who benefits from clear explanations, visual support, and a gentle preview of what school life can look like.

You can use these stories before starting school, before a new term, before a tricky part of the day, or after a hard day when you want to talk things through without it turning into The World's Longest Conversation About Socks, Lunchboxes, and Feelings.

These school social stories can help children with:

  • getting ready for school
  • understanding classroom routines
  • coping with changes and transitions
  • learning independence and organisation
  • feeling safer during new or noisy situations
  • building confidence through repetition and familiarity

A school social story is a short, simple story that helps children understand what to expect in a school situation. It can explain routines, behaviour, changes, and unfamiliar events in a calm and supportive way.

No. These stories are especially helpful for autistic and neurodivergent children, but many children benefit from clear, visual, step-by-step explanations.

It is often best to read a story before the situation happens. For example, you might read one before a new term, before a school trip, before a fire drill, or during a tricky morning routine.

Yes. Many families read them at home first, and teachers or support staff can also use them in the classroom or before a specific school event.

Start with the part of the school day that feels hardest right now. For some children that is getting ready in the morning. For others it is classroom behaviour, new routines, waiting, or coping with a special event like a school trip.

Usually, yes. Repetition helps children feel familiar with the language and ideas, which can make the real situation feel less overwhelming.