Pupil health and wellbeing
5 articles
Pupil transitions and pastoral systems
- Primary to secondary transition: features of an effective programme Get inspiration from primary and secondary schools that have embedded the key ingredients of successful transition into their programme to help pupils get ready for the jump to year 7.
- Secondary transition: a trauma-informed approach Make secondary transition smoother and more consistent by collecting better quality information. Find out how 2 secondary leaders use a children's learning and wellbeing audit (CLAWBA) to help them provide the transition support that pupils need.
- Transition: reception to year 1 Use these strategies and techniques to smooth pupils' transition from reception to year 1, and find out how EYFS practitioners and year 1 teachers should work together.
- Transition to secondary school: pupils with SEN Read about the requirement to plan for pupils with special educational needs (SEN) who are moving from primary to secondary school, and get tips for each phase to help the transition go smoothly.
- Welcome packs for parents and pupils Get help creating parent and pupil handbooks by using our parent pack template and seeing examples from other schools.
11 articles
Pupil wellbeing
- Fasting during Ramadan: supporting pupils Find out what you need to know and do to support pupils fasting during Ramadan, including during exams.
- How to talk to pupils about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine Share this guidance with your staff to give them confidence when talking to pupils of all ages about the war between Russia and Ukraine. Find out how to avoid racist and bullying incidents related to the events, and know how to support pupils with higher levels of anxiety.
- Keeping the cost down this holiday season See ideas on how to keep celebrations inclusive and sustainable for pupils, families and staff who might be struggling financially at this time of year. Use our template letter to reassure parents that you're doing everything you can to reduce the cost of celebrations in school.
- Monitoring pupils' mental health and wellbeing: tools Get an overview of the tools you can use to monitor pupils' mental health and wellbeing, both at an individual and whole-school level.
- Personal education plans (PEPs) for looked-after children All looked-after children (LAC) should have a personal education plan (PEP). Find out who is responsible for creating and managing PEPs, and what a plan should contain.
- Pupils with SEND: supporting mental health Learn about whole-school strategies and personalised interventions to support the mental health of pupils with SEND. Find resources from charities and get guidance on writing your mental health policy.
- Russia's invasion of Ukraine: parent information and support pack Share our pack with your parents to communicate about what you're doing in school and how they can support their children during this difficult time. It includes tips on how to talk about what's happening, and signposts resources for further assistance.
- Supporting pupils during the Israel-Hamas war Feel confident that you and your staff have the tools to support pupils during this difficult time. Get advice on how to handle conversations about the conflict in an age-appropriate way, and how to tackle racist and bullying incidents.
- Supporting refugee pupils and their families Read how you can create an environment in your school where children who are refugees feel welcomed and comfortable. Find out what you need to do when you have refugee pupils arriving soon, and resources to help you support their transition.
- Supporting trans pupils: a toolkit Use this toolkit to create an environment where any trans pupil will feel safe and valued. Find an action plan for managing a pupil’s transition, questions to ask a pupil who tells you they are trans, and guidance on considerations including toilets, changing rooms and uniform.
- Trans pupils: summary of legal rights Understand your legal responsibilities around supporting transgender pupils in your school and learn how to make informed decisions around the arrangements you put in place.
2 articles
School meals and FSM
- Free school meals (FSM): who's eligible? Find out the eligibility criteria for free school meals (FSM), and learn about the transitional protections in place during the Universal Credit rollout period.
- Natasha's Law and school food standards: requirements Get to grips with Natasha's Law and allergen labelling requirements, including what's good practice for cake sales. Plus, understand what the food standards are, when your school has to follow them and how you can check that you're compliant.
