These are unprecedented times.
Most parents are experiencing a sudden change in their lives. Balancing homeschooling with homeworking. Along with a host of other commitments, and many losing their jobs too.
Many teachers remain in school. They are facing the extremely difficult task of planning for the future, assessing how best to reintegrate children into school life and looking after themselves at the same time.
With school closures, social distancing and many other changes, our children are facing huge challenges. New learning environments, the loss of their usual routines and a lack of socialising and play are creating more anxiety and stress. And for those who already have mental health needs, the impact is even greater.
That’s why it’s so important that now, more than ever, we put the happiness and wellbeing of our children first. (Something we’ve been proudly shouting about for the last 6 years.)
Let’s use this time to create a better way of education for every child, every day.
A Whole School Approach
We believe that every school and every child is different. Our frameworks, resources and experiences can be adapted and integrated into a whole school approach.
Partner schools then weave INSIDE OUT into school life in their own way.
“Our biggest concern is supporting the mental health and wellbeing of our children during this transition back into school, not the curriculum. Once we get the transition right, then we’ll start on the learning.
We have 400 children who will have gone through a trauma in a sense and it will be dealing with that. Children will need space to explore and express thoughts and feelings, and share experiences they’ve had.
It will be about introducing routines again slowly. And they all know about INSIDE OUT and the 5 Keys to Happiness.”
–Ingrid Burton, Deputy Headteacher of Thameside Primary School
We are now working with our partner schools to support children’s mental health and wellbeing during this transition process.
And at the same time providing a wellbeing foundation for schools to build upon for the future.
Actionable & Fun Activities for Home and School
In response to the challenge of Coronavirus, we have already shared free resources with many schools, teachers and families.
There is a wealth of information and resources out there but it’s often confusing and hard to know where to start.
That’s why we created our new Weekly Wellbeing Guides. Full of activities that are simple, fun and quick-to-use, they can be used at home or school.
Curated by our Programme Director and former Headteacher, Annette Crewe, they are based on the ‘5 Keys to Happiness’, our set of evidence-based actions for improving wellbeing.
Check out these amazing rockets that children at Thameside Primary School made.
How Our Partner Schools Are Sharing
“The 5 Keys to Happiness are preparing the children for life, the ups/downs and challenges, and challenges don't come much bigger than now.”
–Jon Jeffries, Headteacher of St Peter’s CE Primary School
Our partner schools have been sharing the Guides online with children, parents and carers.
Hagbourne CE Primary School - in their monthly Newsletters
Ranikhet Academy - in their monthly Ranikhet Review
St Peter’s CE Primary School - in their Let’s Keep Sharing Blog
Thameside Primary School - in their Learning Zone and Weekly Newsletters
Our New ACTIVITY LIBRARY
We are now working with schools on their transition plans. Bringing their communities back together.
Our Activity Library is being developed to support the mental health challenges anticipated in children’s return to school-based education.
“We can draw on what we have already in place at school and all the work we’ve done with INSIDE OUT. And that’s something the children are familiar with.”
If your school is interested in making the mental health and wellbeing of your children a priority not just now, but in future, please get in touch.
Whether it’s a whole school approach, a programme to support you through the transition phase or just useful ideas to do now, we’re here to help.
Written by Jade Cormack, Stephanie Weissman & Michael Townsend Williams
