Supporting a grieving pupil can be challenging, as children show loss in very different ways. With 1 in 29 children experiencing the death of a parent, most classrooms will have a child coping with bereavement. This short film gives teachers seven practical, compassionate strategies to respond with confidence. It covers how to communicate sensitively with families, acknowledge a pupil’s loss, use honest age-appropriate language, create safe spaces and trusted adults, recognise grief-related behaviour changes, identify when extra support is needed, and adjust routines or expectations during difficult times. Key messages for teachers include: honesty builds trust, grief can appear in many behaviours, safe relationships and routines offer stability, behaviour is communication, and while teachers can’t “fix” grief, their steady presence matters. Watch now to find out more.
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Building Great Schools: Insights from a transformative leader
In a recent Nip in the Bud podcast interview, expert educator and author Rachel MacFarlane shared her insights on what it takes to build a truly great, inclusive school culture. Driven by the belief that education can transform lives and create a more equitable society, she provided a clear roadmap for teachers and school leaders. She develops inclusivity of vulnerable children by using the word ‘underserved’ rather than ‘disadvantaged’, bringing the onus of change on adults in positions of care, to create a sense of possibility and hope for what can be achieved.
