Creating inclusive classroom environments: Practical advice & ideas How can we best support pupils who struggle with behaviour or emotional wellbeing? What does a positive, inclusive classroom environment look like? Virtual school headteacher Darren Martindale offers some advice and ideas
Covid-19 recovery: Time to start listening to our pupils What does ‘recovery’ mean? Post-lockdown and as the Covid-19 pandemic continues, we are all talking about pupil wellbeing – but are we listening to the children? Jenny Mosley urges a renewed focus on circle time and other ways of supporting pupil (and staff) wellbeing
Spotting the signs: 10 mental health challenges post-Covid What kind of wellbeing and mental health issues will some students be presenting with this term and what signs should we be alert for? Dr Pooky Knightsmith considers 10 challenges we are likely to see in the coming weeks and months – and what we can do to help
Language and communication strategies as part of good pedagogy Language challenges are often considered as part of SEN strategies. However, Daniel Sobel and Sara Alston argue for language and communication strategies rooted in general good pedagogy and offer five easy classroom tips 1 comment
Wellbeing: Supporting students who have to self-isolate With potential this year for individuals or groups of pupils to be sent home from school at very short notice due to Covid-19, a new pastoral challenge will be supporting the wellbeing of those students affected. Dr Pooky Knightsmith advises
Covid: Making remote learning work in the months ahead As the fight against coronavirus continues, remote learning is here to stay and must now be adapted and embraced as part of our range of teaching and learning approaches this academic year. Al Kingsley advises
Domestic abuse: The hidden legacy of the pandemic Domestic abuse in the family can have significant implications for the welfare and wellbeing of young people – and lockdown has seen a dramatic rise in cases. Sara Alston looks at what we can expect as pupils return in September
Keeping children safe in education – analysis of the latest update Once again, the statutory safeguarding guidance Keeping children safe in education has been updated ahead of the new school year. Sara Alston looks at what has changed in the new guidance
Pupil attendance and Covid: A legal view Despite the pressure building on government to scrap fines for non-attendance, the rules remain in place for the term ahead. So – do headteachers have to seek fines for parents who do not send their children back to school? We asked legal expert Karen Holden for her view
Remote learning: Creating safe digital ecosystems Remote and online learning is likely to be with us for some time as the Covid-19 fight continues. As such, we must continue to prioritise esafety. Al Kingsley asks how we can promote and deliver safer digital ecosystems in schools and better develop pupils’ digital citizenship
Back to school: A headteacher's checklist September is upon us and pupils are returning to school – some after more than five months away. National Leader of Education Helen Frostick considers how we can ensure we meet the pastoral needs of our pupils post-lockdown
Staff wellbeing: Support for secondary trauma As schools return full-time, secondary trauma is a real and present danger for teachers and other staff. Sophie Howells from Education Support explains
Staff wellbeing: Regard, dialogue and feedback Personal and professional regard, dialogue and feedback – what approaches can help staff during the testing months that lie ahead? Mark Burns advises on how we can invest in personal and professional regard to support our teaching staff
Back to School Guide: Staff wellbeing and support In this 12-page guide, we consider how lockdown has affected the wellbeing and mental health of school staff and offer practical advice and ideas for promoting wellbeing and supporting colleagues, both now and this autumn
Four coaching conversations for school leaders Coaching can have a positive influence on staff wellbeing, morale and performance in schools. Denise Barrows outlines four particularly powerful coaching conversations that leaders can use to achieve this sort of transformative impact
Back to School Guide: Supporting student wellbeing Headteacher Update has published the first of four free Back to School guides offering advice ahead of September and the wider opening of schools. In this 12-page guide, we consider how the lockdown will have affected young people’s wellbeing and mental health, what challenges we expect to see as ...
Vulnerable students: Planning for transition back to school As increasing numbers of students return to school, Daniel Sobel outlines a framework he says all schools can use to ensure the right support is in place to ensure a successful transition for vulnerable students 1 comment
Pupil trauma and wellbeing post-lockdown When pupils leave lockdown, and return to school it is anticipated that staff will face a range of pastoral, wellbeing and behaviour issues. Teacher and mental health first-aider Amy Sayer considers the challenges that lie ahead...
How can we talk about death? ?As schools begin to re-open to more students, we will need to deal with conversations about death, bereavement and grief. In this article, teacher Zinnia Wilkinson explains how she worked with her students after the death of her daughter 1 comment
WOW: Leading a primary school through lockdown Leading a primary school through the lockdown has had its fair share of challenges for executive principal Sophie Murfin. She speaks to Yvonne Gandy about how this period has triggered changes that will continue when normal service eventually resumes
Safeguarding and mental health: Reintegrating your pupils As school leaders welcome more pupils back into school, safeguarding will be at the forefront of planning. Bethany Eadie looks at what to cover in your staff safeguarding update so that your team feels prepared and confident to support pupils as they reintegrate
Attachment theory and children’s learning in school Attachment theory has clear and important implications for education. Dr Elizabeth Harlow considers its relevance to children’s learning and looks at how some schools have been applying the principles of the theory to the organisation of pastoral support and teaching and learning
Coronavirus: Pastoral care in a changed school environment As pupils return to school, we will need to be prepared for challenging behaviour, safeguarding disclosures and signs of mental health and wellbeing problems. Anthony David looks at the pastoral priorities that must be at the top of the list for primary schools
Supporting school staff worried about the impact of Covid-19 More than half of the calls to the Education Support confidential helpline are currently related to coronavirus. Sophie Howells looks at the concerns of teachers and school leaders
Delivering effective mental health education With health education becoming compulsory in September, there is an opportunity for a clearer focus on mental wellbeing. Clare Stafford speaks with two mental health experts about effective whole-school approaches and practical tips for schools preparing to deliver the new curriculum
