The best way to protect and improve pupil wellbeing at your school is to create support systems to promote staff well-being, says Tina Rae. Having emotionally literate teachers is vital when working with students at risk of developing emotional problems
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The transition between schools can be hard. Julie Roberts describes how an action research project on classroom dialogue has been used to explore and overcome some of the barriers to learning across the transition from KS2-3
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A successful peer support scheme has encouraged students to participate at Flegg High School in Norfolk. Mike Ward, deputy headteacher, discusses the evolution of the scheme and how increased student involvement has had real benefits to the school
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Peer support can be an invaluable resource for SEN pupils, not only those who need help and encouragement with learning but also for the de-motivated under-achievers and those whose social skills are under-developed
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We examine the importance of mutual support and the ability to request help from your colleagues read more
AfL strategies can be invaluable in providing feedback for pupils and developing insight into G&T learners' individual needs. Clare Smale provides some practical tips for teachers read more
Trainer Netta Cartwright outlines the principles that make peer support programmes sustainable in primary and secondary schools read more
Jessica Peters of the charity YoungMinds lays some common myths about self-harm to rest and explains how schools can support the young people it affects
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Sarah Treneer and Claire Kendall describe how they developed a technique for encouraging children to reflect on their own and others’ learning through the use of peer feedback.
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Dr Jonothan Neelands, deputy director of research at the National Academy of Gifted and Talented Youth, explains how drama helps both the academically gifted and artistically talented. read more
Peer support schemes can benefit staff and pupils. Jaci Smith describes one initiative and explains how to get started
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Headteacher David Dixon looks at the problems various forms of transition can pose for some children and suggests ways to help smooth those troubled paths
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Headteacher Mark Barnett remembers the trials and triumphs of transitions during his own youth and argues for a radical rethink on managing the process. read more
Raising awareness and dismissing myths is critical in establishing self-harm support groups says Steve Matthews of the Mentoring and Befriending Foundation. read more
For ten years I co-ordinated a school peer counselling scheme. In my experience, the simplest way to describe the above is 'a body of students who have volunteered to undertake training in order that they may offer support to other students experiencing particular problems, alongside an overall aim of reducing the amount of bullying in school'. read more
In setting up peer mentoring schemes (see my previous article in Issue 7 of TEX) it would be foolish not to consider some of the pitfalls, especially before you launch a new scheme with pupils, staff and parents. If you can pre-empt as many questions as possible it will give a measure of reassurance that you have already put in place 'safety nets', especially for the students involved. read more
Peer support schemes can transform schools, by reducing bullying, increasing pupil confidence and involvement, and lowering teachers' stress levels, as Carol Smart explains read more
