Cornwall Schools’ Wellbeing Hub Newsletter 31st January 2025
Friday 31st January 2025
Welcome to the Wellbeing Newsletter
Part 1 - Training & Events
Welcome to the Wellbeing Newsletter
The Right On Children and Young People’s Wellbeing Survey 2025 is now open for schools to register for FREE. More information on our website. This is superb opportunity for you to gain a powerful insight into the wellbeing the C&YP in your school.
A Sense of Belonging in School came up several times in conversations recently. The conversations covered a recent speech by Leora Cruddas of the Confederation of School Trusts, a couple of recent social media posts with ‘Belonging’ being disparagingly described as the latest ‘woolly concept’ / ‘buzzword’ (admittedly from the extreme end of the ‘behaviourist’ viewpoint in an increasingly polarised debate) and mention of the excellent work on belonging by Professor Kathryn Riley, Emeritus Professor at UCL (and author of the influential National Education Unit report on Belonging… )
Leora Cruddas was quoted as saying both “Too many (pupils) don’t feel like they belong in our schools” and “There is a challenge here… how do we create school cultures where everybody feels like they belong?”
She also referenced the OECD PISA 2022 reports which looks at international comparisons between countries and shows England as an outlier because “too many of our children… …don’t feel like they belong in our schools”. And as the PISA work shows this is not ‘just’ about belonging (and feeling safer – an essential prerequisite to belonging) but linked to academic outcomes…
And Kathryn Riley often cites her work on a 2019, Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study that showed a strong statistical correlation between children’s sense of safety – physical and emotional – which is a key part of belonging, and their performance in maths and science…
Woolly? Pink and Fluffy? ‘Buzzword? If an understanding of belonging and acceptance of Leora Cruddas’ challenge above means better attendance and better outcomes why wouldn’t we…?
Brilliant ME! Anxiety resource for parents and carers– sneak preview
One thing that surveys in Cornwall and beyond are reporting C&YP not feeling safe and increasing levels of ‘anxiety’. And schools have been asking for support for both children and parents. As part of our “My Brilliant Place to be ME!” resource development we have been working on a resource for parents and carers (and a separate version for school staff)
Delighted to hear one headteacher describe it as “absolutely perfect…” for their parents. Getting some feedback and suggestions – everything welcome and we’ll be considering each and everyone. Some changes / additions made already
If you’d like a preview copy we’d love to hear from you. Kate.pordage@cornwall.gov.uk
Don’t forget you can now access this and previous newsletters on the website
Wellbeing Training with Headstart Kernow
Find details of all our training including on-demand interactive modules
Current:
- SPACE Combined (Parent & Carers and Children & Young People) 3-day Facilitator Training 3-day (all day) online training | Monday 12th, Tuesday 13th & Wednesday 14th May 2025
- A range of Karen Treisman Webinars - On-demand access Limited number of licences.
- FREE wellbeing content for all staff /governors / parents with Pooky Knightsmith’s Creative Education Platform
- Protective Behaviours 2 Day Foundation Course – March 7th / 14th 2025 (Carn Brea Leisure Centre, Pool)
- NEW for 2025 – Workforce Development Opportunities: (download PDF)
Have you joined the Headstart Kernow Creative Education membership yet?
Offering full and free access to a huge range of online, on-demand content for all school staff, governors and a dedicated membership for parents and carers.
Plus access to Live Networks for safeguarding and MH and wellbeing (with more to come)
Download our updated information fliers for:
Featured content
Create a Truly Inclusive Environment Where Children with Special Needs Can Thrive
Supporting Emotional Regulation in the Classroom (Network session recording and resources)
Creating a Neurodiversity Charter Resource
External Training coming up this week
Anna Freud Schools in Mind: Preventing self- harm in schools
Free webinar 4th February 16.30 – 18.30
Training Responding to a young person who is self-harming (various dates / cost involved)
Training Self-harm: Leading whole-school and college prevention (various dates / cost involved)
Thrive UK Bitesize - 5 Proven Strategies for Educators to Help Pupils Express Their Emotions
4th February 4:30pm - 5:00pm (FREE)
Emotional expression is essential for the healthy development of children and young people. It supports mental wellbeing, enhances communication skills, strengthens relationships and boosts resilience at any age. When pupils haven't been taught - or don't feel able - to talk about how they are feeling, it can lead to several challenges that impact their emotional, social and academic development.
Register For Free Now (Can’t join live? Sign up anyway and we’ll share the recording).
Taming the Anxiety Guard Dog – From Anxiety to Resilience
Nicola Morgan author of a number of excellent books for C&YP including ‘Blame my Brain’) is pairing up with the awesome Authors Aloud to offer an in-depth online event, Taming the Anxiety Guard Dog - From Anxiety to Resilience. This is to coincide with Children’s Mental Health Week. I’m packing the talk with knowledge and insights to give you the deepest depth and broadest breadth. You’ll come away understanding so much!
- When: Feb 5th 7-8.30pm GMT
- Where: On Zoom. Booking link HERE
- Who for: Parents, carers, relatives, teachers, other professionals - anyone living or working with young people from aged around 10 upwards, including young adults.
Cost: £20, to include lots of resources and the Powerpoint. And there’ll be a giveaway with three signed books as prizes. (Each person booking a place will be entered into the draw automatically.)
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Part 2 - News / Resources / Updates
The Right On Survey 2025 – Register Now
The Right On Survey 2025 has been launched and registration is now open to all education settings in Cornwall. The survey supports children’s rights, providing an important opportunity for young people to have their voices heard and influence decision making.
This follows the success of the 2023 survey which was completed by over 8,200 children and young people. The data gathered has provided the Council, education settings and partner organisations with a wealth of information on the views, opinions and experiences of young people. This has been used to shape service delivery and strategy across a broad range of areas. Settings told us they have used the findings to help improve the support offer for pupils, inform school development plans and in PSHE delivery.
Feedback from schools includes:
“This is an excellent survey and allows us to evaluate our provision”.
“Very detailed and relevant …. so useful to know what our children are thinking and feeling”.
“Really useful to target our team around the child team to support various cohorts/year groups”.
The online survey will be live for four weeks in March 2025 and it is again free for all settings to participate. Every participating setting will receive a bespoke report summarising key findings. Find out more and register your interest here. Registration is open until 14th February. Further information is also available on the Services for Schools platform.
The Right On Survey 2025 is being delivered by the Children's Rights Team in partnership with Public Health, who are also funding the project. If you have any questions please email childrensrights@cornwall.gov.uk.
Download this information as a pdf
It’s Here… join us in celebrating!
Place2Be’s Children’s Mental Health Week (3-9 February)
The theme this year is ‘Know Yourself, Grow Yourself’, which is about encouraging children and young people across the UK to explore and embrace their emotions.
We’ve gathered together resources and events on our dedicated CMHW page
https://www.headstartkernow.org.uk/childrens-mental-health-week-2025/
We’ll be adding our own ideas / activities each day as well posting on social media
Have you visited our new www.headstartkernow.org.uk website yet?
We are delighted to let you know that our refreshed and redesigned website went live recently. We made it simpler to find what you need as professionals supporting children and families need as well adding a new, more prominent area for parents and carers.