Teachers: The forgotten health workforce

Original article by: Lowry C, Leonard-Kane R, Gibbs B et al. (2022) Teachers: the forgotten health workforce. Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine 115(4): 133–137.    Introduction Amidst rising rates of mental illness among children, this commentary highlights the role of teachers as the forgotten health workforce. According to the Mental Health of Children and […]

Saving lives in schools

Joanna Johnson, Associate Trainer (Grassroots Suicide Prevention), ASIST Trainer (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills), Papyrus Volunteer (Prevention of Suicide in Young People), and  Head of Department and Psychology Teacher, Monmouth School for Girls, UK If you were asked what the leading cause of death was in young people, what would you say? Drugs or Alcohol? Car […]

Encouraging positive behaviour online

Frankie Bisset, Emily Giubertoni, Jodie Jethwa Our setting is a voluntary-aided non-selective secondary school for ages 11-18 in Birmingham. We are a Catholic school, catering to around 1200 students with approximately 26 per cent on free school meals (FSM). As Ofsted (2022) recently described, ‘the way in which pupils relate to each other online can […]

Alphabetic writing systems: The importance, and limits, of phonics

John Bald (FCCT) Independent educational consultant. Former tutor in charge, Reading and Language Centres, Essex Education Department. Introduction Controversy over methods of teaching reading and spelling began with the spread of state primary education in the nineteenth century, and soon occupied similar ground to that of today (Parker, 2021). Should children be taught to recognise […]

Supporting pupil mental health around bereavement and loss

Catherine Hitchcock, Deputy Head (Pastoral) and DSL, UK The setting is a 4-11 co-educational independent Prep School in South West London and this case study outlines the school’s approach to supporting pupil mental health around bereavement and loss. School priority The school has prioritised the support of bereavement and loss as an area to develop […]

How to support grieving children in your classroom

Original article by: Heath MA and Cole BV (2012) Strengthening classroom emotional support for children following a family member’s death. School Psychology International 33(3): 243-262. DOI: 10.1177/0143034311415800   Introduction Schools have been recognised by national and international organisations as having an unparalleled potential to provide supportive services for children’s mental health needs. The focus of […]