Health and Wellbeing

Protecting teacher wellbeing during lockdown

While we are doing all we can to support the wellbeing of our young people during the school closures, we must not forget our teachers. From financial grants to mental health support, Sophie Howells advises

Attendance: A more intelligent approach?

A system of letters and fines, with the possibility of prosecution, has been part of many schools’ attendance policy for years. With children forced to stay home and at least a slight change in Ofsted's tone, is it time to consider a new approach in the post-lockdown world?

Keeping pupils safe online during lockdown

Online safety has become even more of a priority for schools and families during the coronavirus lockdown. Kathryn Day describes how schools can promote online safety while children are away from the classroom

Safeguarding: During and beyond the coronavirus crisis

The number of child referrals has gone down by 50 per cent. It is not surprising given that schools are one of the main referrers of safeguarding concerns. So, what is happening to vulnerable children and what can schools do to help? Suzanne O'Connell takes a look

Working effectively with vulnerable children

There are many things schools and teachers can do – both little and large – to understand and support vulnerable children. Educational psychotherapist Angela Greenwood advises

Coaching: A solution to leadership burn-out?

New research shows that coaching may be an effective solution to potential burn-out among school professionals, including leaders. Viv Grant and Professor Rachel Lofthouse outline their findings

Case study: Creating a happy school

Headteacher, John Bryant, was named Happiest School Employee in the National Happiness Awards. Emma Lee-Potter finds out how his school has put happiness at the heart of its work

Coronavirus: Crisis management and school closure – issues to consider

Schools are closing across the UK in the face of the coronavirus emergency. As they prepare to shut their doors, Matt Bromley looks at some of the issues headteachers will need to think about, including practical considerations, supporting staff, the continuation of learning, and safeguarding

Persistent absence: What can schools do?

One in 10 pupils are considered to fall into the category of being persistently absent, meaning they miss 10 per cent or more of school sessions. So why do these pupils continue to stay away and what can schools do about it?

Planning for school security

Headteachers are very much aware of the need to protect pupils and staff. However, navigating the guidance and legal obligations can be difficult. Suzanne O’Connell looks at new online advice to help those responsible for policy and practice

Recognising pupils’ feelings and emotions

Learning to recognise feelings and emotions is an essential part of growing up, but it will not necessarily come naturally. Shahana Knight looks at how we can help support our pupils to spot, identify and manage their feelings

RSE: Asking young people

Who better to ask about what is needed from relationships and sex education than the children themselves. This is what the Sex Education Forum has done and the findings are revealing. Lucy Emmerson explains

Parents and safeguarding

In the second of three articles on parental engagement issues, Dorothy Lepkowska looks at safeguarding and child protection and how schools can and should work with families

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November’s priorities for new headteachers

This year in Headteacher Update, National Leader of Education, Helen Frostick, is offering term-by-term advice for those new to school headship. In her second article, she focuses on issues including Pupil Premium, staff wellbeing, Ofsted and data as the autumn term enters the home straight

Bereavement in schools: When death happens

To mark Children’s Grief Awareness Week – November 15 to 21 – Alison Penny considers how schools can be better prepared to support children who are coming to terms with the death of someone close

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Headteacher Update is the only magazine delivered directly to every primary school headteacher in the UK. It is published six times a year, at the beginning of each term and half-term, to keep headteachers up-to-date with everything going on in primary education.

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