The chronicles of a therapeutic classroom: Makeover day! This year, childhood trauma expert Shahana Knight is working to transform a year 3 classroom into the ultimate therapeutic space. This diary chronicles the project. This time, work begins on transforming the physical classroom environment...
Suicide: How to support during crisis moments Supporting someone – a student or colleague – who is suicidal may feel daunting, but you can make a difference with some small actions. Dr Pooky Knightsmith explains
Five ways schools can commit to good staff mental health As mental health awareness increases in the wake of the pandemic, Sophie Howells looks at five areas of school life where we can make our commitment to wellbeing evident for all staff
How would you respond? Dealing with pupils who can’t settle In her articles this year, Shahana Knight spotlights common behaviours or classroom scenarios, looking at why they might occur and how we can respond therapeutically. This time, she looks at the pupil who is unable to settle and is distracting others...
Taking a step back from burn-out... Burn-out is not inevitable. As a school leader, how do you take care of yourself? Frances Robertson urges you to avoid burn-out by making time to reflect and step back from the chaos...
SEND & safeguarding: Effective practice The increased vulnerabilities of children with SEND mean that safeguarding must remain a constant focus for all school staff. Sara Alston advises
Animal therapy: Down on the school farm From lambs to donkeys to pigs, the animals at York House School are helping pupils to adopt and model positive behaviour. Head Jon Gray explains why all schools should consider ‘animal therapy’
The chronicles of a therapeutic classroom: The vision begins to form This year, childhood trauma expert Shahana Knight is working with a primary school to transform a year 3 classroom into the ultimate therapeutic classroom. This diary chronicles the project. This time, she sketches out her initial plans…
Mental health, safeguarding & child protection: Three key considerations The links between safeguarding, child protection and mental health are extensive, multi-layered, and complex – what should we be doing to keep children safe? Elizabeth Rose advises
Sexual harassment: The role of RSE in responding to Ofsted’s review The shockwaves of Ofsted’s review of sexual harassment and abuse in schools can still be felt. Schools are now responding. Lucy Emmerson looks at the role of effective RSE as part of this response
A six-step guide for new mental health leads The emerging role of designated or senior mental health lead in schools has become even more vital in light of the impact of the pandemic. Wellbeing expert Kelly Hannaghan discusses effective practice for those taking on this new position and six steps for success
The chronicles of a therapeutic classroom: He said yes! This year, childhood trauma expert Shahana Knight is working with a primary school to transform one of its year 3 classrooms into the ultimate therapeutic classroom. This monthly diary will chronicle the project, the ups and downs, and the lessons learned
Self-care isn’t selfish: How to look after yourself Looking after yourself is not selfish – in fact it is a vital part of being able to perform at your best as a teacher or school leader. As a new school year begins, Sophie Howells reminds us all to prioritise self-care
Five priorities for your safeguarding checklist It is the start of an intense year for everyone working in schools, especially designated safeguarding leads. Hannah Glossop details her priorities to help DSLs be fully prepared for the months ahead
Safeguarding & KCSIE: What’s changed and what should we do about it? Every September the statutory safeguarding guidance Keeping Children Safe in Education is updated. Expert Elizabeth Rose looks at the key updates this year and the implications for those working in schools
Effective in-school SEMH and counselling support The pandemic has brought pastoral and social, emotional and mental health support to the fore. Sarah May discusses her role as an SEMH support worker across a primary and secondary setting
Pastoral care and safeguarding: Four kinds of vulnerable pupil who will need our support With the new school year upon us safeguarding and pastoral care expert Dawn Jotham looks at some pupils facing particular challenges and what schools can do to support young people to help keep them safe in school
Pupils’ anxieties: Name it to tame it Headteacher Ben Travitzky on why a ‘name it to tame it’ approach is helping to support children’s wellbeing at his school
Wellbeing: How to look after yourself as a headteacher Whether you are an experienced headteacher or new to the job, Kate Smith shares some strategies and ideas to help you protect your wellbeing in the months ahead
The 5Ps of staff wellbeing Ahead of her session at our forthcoming Pupil Mental Health online conference, Frederika Roberts explores the five Ps of staff wellbeing and why staff wellbeing is at the heart of whole-school wellbeing
Safeguarding: Preventing peer-on-peer abuse Following Ofsted’s review of sexual harassment and abuse in schools – and the subsequent updates to the inspection framework from September – what should schools be doing to address peer-in-peer abuse? Jenny Moore advises and signposts to some useful resources
Sexual abuse and safeguarding: Harnessing pupil voice When considering Ofsted’s review of sexual abuse and harassment, it is clear that we may not be asking young people the right questions. One immediate action for schools must be to listen to our pupils. Elizabeth Rose looks at putting pupil voice at the heart of our safeguarding response
Four ideas to tackle workload in your school Teacher workloads have always been heavy but the pandemic has added to the strain. Former deputy head Graham Cooper suggests some practical approaches to cut down on time-consuming tasks and give teachers more time
Senior Mental Health Lead: How to have an impact If you are new to the role of mental health lead, or you would like to make sure that your role really makes a difference next year, Dr Pooky Knightsmith offers a few simple ideas to help you to maximise your impact
Free school meals uptake: Removing the barriers There are still a number of barriers that put children and families off applying for and taking up free school meals. Georgina Burt advises on how schools can remove some of these barriers
