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
Mindfulness activities for younger children Mindfulness is the ability to be aware of experiences as they are happening with an attitude of curiosity and kindness – a useful skill in the current climate. Claire Kelly offers five tips for introducing these ideas with younger children
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
RSE, health education and parental consultation Parental engagement with statutory relationships, sex and health education is a vital component of a successful curriculum. Leah Jewett offers her advice to primary schools ahead of September 2020 1 comment
RSE: Engaging with parents Parents cannot opt-out of new statutory relationships education in primary schools, but should still be consulted over the curriculum. Lucy Emmerson looks at how schools can engage with parents
What do you want to be when you’re older? The importance of careers education and breaking down gender stereotypes at primary age is increasingly recognised. After the publication of a new report, Suzanne O’Connell looks at some best practice examples
Getting the ‘E’ of PSHE right There are many ways for primary schools to bring financial education lessons to life. Julian Wright offers some ideas and advice from the free RedSTART programme
Three school safeguarding priorities in 2019 Three key safeguarding issues for schools in 2019 are honour-based abuse, bullying and mental health. Dawn Jotham shares her insights into these three areas and provides practical tips that school communities can implement in order to deliver best-practice safeguarding
What can schools do about pollution? We are finding out more about the impact of poor air quality on our children, especially in urban areas. But what can schools do to protect their pupils and to raise awareness? Suzanne O’Connell reports
Relationships and health education The consultation over proposed guidance for statutory relationships education and health education has closed. John Rees looks at how schools might begin preparing for these vital new subjects
LGBT: Common questions Equality and diversity consultant Adele Bates answers some of the questions she is commonly asked by teaching staff in primary schools
Preparing for statutory relationships and health education The government has finally published its draft guidance for the new subject of relationships and sex education – and has also set-out plans for statutory health education. Lucy Emmerson advises schools on how to begin preparing 1 comment
More depth and detail: The new safeguarding guidance Local Safeguarding Children Boards may be on their way out but schools will still be on the frontline when it comes to child protection. Suzanne O’Connell outlines the major changes and implications for schools of the new Keeping Children Safe in Education guidance
Pornography and other online safety issues The impact that exposure to pornography has on the lives of young people is becoming alarmingly clear – and it is increasingly becoming an issue for primary-age pupils. Stephanie Enson explores the problems and discusses preventative strategies
Prevent: A curriculum issue? Earlier this year, a report into multi-agency Prevent work suggested that a shift in focus is needed for this agenda in schools. Author Dr David Lundie sets out his findings
Talking about disfigurement How should we talk about disfigurement in the classroom? Dr Jane Frances and Alexis Camble from the charity Changing Faces offer advice on how to ensure our schools are inclusive
Mental health: Giving children a head start Supporting the mental health and wellbeing of primary age children has long been a burning issue for Dr Andy Hodgkinson, as Liam Donnison finds out
Early Help – getting it right Early intervention is crucial if we are to give pupils the best chances of success. Ann Marie Christian offers her practical strategies and advice on creating and managing an effective early help programme
Relationships education: What should we expect? The campaign has been long and difficult, but at last those determined to see the introduction of statutory relationships and sex education have been rewarded. What can primary headteachers expect now as the discussions and consultations set in? Suzanne O’Connell reports
Pastoral support: Emotion coaching Emotion coaching is a concept that could help schools to better support students’ social, emotional and mental health. Educational psychologists Licette Gus and Dr Laura Meldrum-Carter explain 1 comment
Wellbeing and life-skills What first steps can primary heads take to set up a strategy that will help pupils develop the wellbeing and life-skills they need for success? Colin McLean shares some advice
Safeguarding and the law From radicalisation to female genital mutilation, are your staff up-to-date on their safeguarding duties and will they know what to do if they suspect abuse? Safeguarding specialist Sam Preston offers her advice
Positive male role-models For many pupils, having a positive male role-model in their lives can make a big difference to outcomes. Kim Jones suggests hosting workshops to give your fathers a chance to engage with their children and the school
Encouraging pupils to make friends Making friends is a key learning curve of primary school and teaches pupils many key skills for later life. However, it is something that some pupils can find difficult. Naomi Richards offers some ideas for how schools can help pupils to make and retain friends
Developing your pupils’ emotional intelligence With children and young people facing so many challenges to their wellbeing and mental health, having active strategies in the school environment to develop their emotional intelligence can make a real difference. Expert Shahana Knight offers some quick ideas
