10 May 2022
Would you know how to support a student who is having a panic attack? With exam season upon us, Dr Pooky Knightsmith offers some pointers for helping anyone who is struggling
25 April 2022
Anxiety can be overwhelming. How can teachers and school staff support students who are struggling with feelings of anxiety? In this article, Dr Pooky Knightsmith offers a range of ideas and ...
5 April 2022
Children with ADHD will hear thousands more negative messages while at school than their peers, making self-esteem and poor self-image a huge challenge. Dr Pooky Knightsmith considers how to better ...
23 March 2022
A SecEd webinar on emotionally based school avoidance attracted thousands of viewers. In this article, which first appeared in SecEd's Back from the Brink supplement, Dr Pooky Knightsmith picks up ...
28 February 2022
The pandemic is forcing us to redefine vulnerability and to prioritise diversity and inclusion as we build back better. Maria O’Neill looks at some key tenets of proactive pastoral care post-Covid
1 February 2022
What are the four domains of safety and why are they so important in enabling vulnerable and other children to flourish? Dr Pooky Knightsmith explains
24 January 2022
When we put relationships at the heart of all we do then everyone benefits – vulnerable children, their peers, and the adults working with them. Dr Pooky Knightsmith looks at how
7 November 2021
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
12 October 2021
How best can we support neurodivergent children during these uncertain times? Dr Pooky Knightsmith offers 10 simple strategies for schools
13 September 2021
A new academic year dawns and we continue to live with the uncertainty of the pandemic. Dr Pooky Knightsmith offers us some simple ideas for leading with certainty in uncertain times
11 June 2021
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 ...
4 May 2021
How can and should we work with parents and carers when a child is struggling? Mental health expert Dr Pooky Knightsmith offers some tips, strategies and advice
8 March 2021
As schools re-open to all students, those with SEND may well need more support. Stephanie Glenister outlines how we can help pupils – both those who have been attending school during lockdown and ...
3 March 2021
The return to school after lockdown 3.0 could be challenging for students with autism. Drawing on experiences and lessons learned from the first national lockdown, Dr Pooky Knightsmith advises on how ...
3 February 2021
Every school will have some families with which it is difficult to engage, and often these are the families of our more vulnerable learners. Dr Pooky Knightsmith looks at why this might be and offers ...
26 January 2021
Many of us are finding the third national lockdown much tougher than those that have gone before. Dr Pooky Knightsmith offers five simple ideas that will help us to maintain the morale and wellbeing ...
19 January 2021
Child-centred planning can make all the difference for vulnerable young people. Dr Pooky Knightsmith offers five principles to ensure this is done in a genuine, non-tick-box, fashion
8 December 2020
The pandemic continues to take a heavy toll on the wellbeing and resilience of school staff. Dr Pooky Knightsmith explains five simple steps to boost your wellbeing when things feel hard
28 October 2020
Some challenging behaviour in schools will be due to learned trauma responses. Dr Pooky Knightsmith offers some pointers for a more inclusive, trauma-informed approach
16 September 2020
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 ...
13 September 2020
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 in ...
1 June 2020
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 ...
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 ...
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
17 September 2019
When a young person with mental health or wellbeing issues faces a crisis moment, there are some simple techniques and ideas that could help. Dr Pooky Knightsmith explains