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Recruitment, control, exploitation: Spotting the signs of child exploitation

27 May 2020

Recruitment, control, exploitation – the three key stages of child exploitation must be understood by school staff. Dawn Jotham offers her advice to help us identify students at risk, including spotting the various signs

Supporting school staff worried about the impact of Covid-19

27 May 2020

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

20 May 2020

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

Encouraging good sleep habits in our students

18 May 2020

A good night’s sleep can be a secret weapon for healthier, happier and higher performing students. Darren Sayer looks at how to instil good sleeping habits to support student wellbeing and development

Anxiety and depression: When should we intervene?

12 May 2020

An estimated one in 10 teenagers have mental health problems and there is a high prevalence of anxiety and depression. In this five-article series, Dr Stephanie Thornton advises schools and teachers. In part three, she asks when are these conditions severe enough to warrant treatment or intervention

Mental health post-lockdown: Hitting the reset button

11 May 2020

As we consider a return to school, recovery planning must include an overhaul of how we focus on staff and pupil wellbeing, says Pam Shaw

The virtual staffroom: Morale and engagement during lockdown

6 May 2020

During lockdown, we must not neglect staff morale and wellbeing. Denise Barrows looks at how school leaders can deepen trust and connections with and between staff. She considers our one-to-one interactions and how to build a virtual staffroom environment

Fight, flight or freeze? Getting yourself out of survival mode

5 May 2020

Teachers – like many others – will be feeling the pressure and stress of the current crisis and may be operating in survival mode. Shahana Knight offers wellbeing advice to help you manage your work, family and mental health

Protecting teacher wellbeing during lockdown

29 April 2020

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

Mental health & Covid-19: Be the adult that your child needs

28 April 2020

Our young people’s mental health is on the line during the coronavirus lockdown. Dr Pooky Knightsmith discusses four things your pupils need to feel right now – and some simple ideas for making that happen

Understanding and supporting SEMH pupils

20 April 2020

Drawing on the outstanding work of Adelaide School, a special provision in Cheshire catering for pupils aged nine and upwards, Sarah Barlow offers advice to mainstream schools on supporting students who face social, emotional and mental health challenges

Anxiety and depression: Are they co-morbid?

14 April 2020

An estimated one in 10 teenagers have mental health problems, with a high prevalence of anxiety and depression. In this five-article series, Dr Stephanie Thornton advises schools and teachers. In part two, she asks if anxiety and depression are co-morbid or one syndrome

Quick ideas to protect children’s wellbeing during lockdown

9 April 2020

The coronavirus outbreak and lockdown could have a significant impact on wellbeing, mindset and mental health. Ross McWilliam advises families on approaches and activities to support their children

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Anxiety and depression: The new normal?

11 March 2020

An estimated one in 10 teens have mental health problems, with high prevalence of anxiety and depression. In this five-part series, Dr Stephanie Thornton advises schools and teachers. In part one, she considers whether this is the new ‘normal’ and some implications for schools

Staff wellbeing: Conversations about mental health...

4 March 2020

Opening up about mental health can be daunting and can make a person feel vulnerable. Amy Sayer advises on how to handle these conversations to ensure the best outcomes

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Trauma and adverse childhood experiences

12 February 2020

Trauma and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can have a huge impact on behaviour and learning. Darren Martindale advises how we can identify these problems and offer support

Trapped in social media: Beating the algorithms

12 February 2020

There is a real fear about the negative impact that social media is having on a generation of young people. Edwina Dunn looks at recent research and one simple yet effective solution

Pupil wellbeing: The healing power of art

27 January 2020

More schools are offering placements to trainee art therapists to support the rising number of young people with emotional or mental health issues. How does it work in practice? Sam Phipps reports

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Creating calmer classrooms

30 November 2019

Your classroom environment can play a crucial role in influencing the emotional state of your students. Shahana Knight offers some quick and practical tips…

Techniques to help students suffering with anxiety

13 November 2019

Anxiety-related disorders are increasingly common among young people. Dr Pooky Knightsmith offers us five simple calming strategies that can be used in the classroom

When death happens: Bereavement in schools

6 November 2019

To mark Children’s Grief Awareness Week, Alison Penny considers how schools can be better prepared to support young people who are coming to terms with the death of someone close

A safe haven: Ideas for your school library

22 October 2019

The school library is about more than literacy and ICT – it should be a safe haven for all pupils and should cater for the whole child. Valerie Dewhurst offers some practical ideas

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Mental health