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    How will it be for children when they return to school? It would be naive to think that they will pick up where they left off on the day their school went into lock down.

    We have been analysing the loss children have suffered during this time, and the potential anxiety and trauma it may cause, with significant impact on their ability to learn effectively.

    We have built the construct of a Recovery Curriculum, enabling schools to consider the processes they will need to put in place to successfully transition children back to school. As the word ‘construct’ suggests, this is a process of building, of co -constructing, a curriculum that is responsive to the needs of children, that harvests their experience and makes sense of it emotionally as well as cognitively.

    In the coming weeks six school leaders will discuss their responses to the implications of a Recovery Curriculum in their school setting ( Primary, Secondary, and Special) In particular the pedagogy, resources and also the mental health of the children, will be considered. This podcast series will be available on: https://www.evidenceforlearning.net/recoverycurriculum

    More details will be posted in the coming days.

    We hope you find this thought provoking and insightful.

    Stay well – stay strong.

    Barry Carpenter
    Professor of Mental Health in Education,
    Oxford Brookes University

    Matthew Carpenter
    Principal, Baxter College, Kidderminster

    Click below or here to download & view.

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  • From Flinders University and the South Australian Government. 

    covid-19-childrens-guide

  • What are the implications of Covid 19, and the implications for schools, teachers, and school leadership?

    This podcast, recorded on 7th April 2020, is an interview conducted with Professor Barry Carpenter to mark his 40 years in School / Education Leadership.

     

    https://thekeysupport.com/insights/2020/04/08/key-voices-55

    Also available to listen on both iTunes & Spotify

     

  • These journals, are perfect for home schooling. There are 4 journals – one for each key stage.

    Being Me: KS1/2 (Yr 1-6)
    https://www.butterflyprint.co.uk/product/being-me-emotional-well-being-journal-single/

    Understanding Me: KS2/3 (Yr 3-9)
    https://www.butterflyprint.co.uk/product/understanding-me-a-mental-wealth-journal-single/

    Live Out Loud: KS3/4 (Yr 7-11)
    https://www.butterflyprint.co.uk/product/live-out-loud-a-self-awareness-journal-single/

    It’s All in the Mind: KS 4/5 (Yr10-13)
    https://www.butterflyprint.co.uk/product/its-all-in-the-mind-dont-sweat-the-small-stuff-single/

    It is important at this challenging time that we look after our children’s’ emotional well being too. I have used these journals many times with children in all types of schools , and across the ability range, ( including those with Special Needs/ Autism). They allow children, in engaging ways, to explore and deepen there understanding of complex emotions.

    In support of the Coronavirus campaign the publisher, Butterfly Print , and its kind MD, Neil Walsh, are allowing single copy purchase by parents, and the delivery charge has been removed.

    These are a perfect way of building a child’s emotional resilience in these turbulent times.

    Barry Carpenter,PhD
    Professor of Mental Health in Education,
    Oxford Brookes University 

  • At this present time , when teachers and teaching assistants are home based, and looking for worthwhile on line professional learning , you may like to visit  http://www.complexneeds.org.uk

    16 modules of  teacher training , at 4 levels . Level A is specifically designed for Teaching Assistants. Level D , for example , is for those in Leadership roles, whether as SENCO, Assistant, Deputy or Headteacher/Principal.

    The attached article details what the modules are , and their aims and purpose.

    When first launched the user friendly nature of each module and the accessibility were highly praised.

    specialist resources cover image for pdf file
  • Good Days and Bad Days During Lockdown:
    A wordless booklet with scenes from existing Beyond Words stories looking at what makes a ‘good day’ and what makes a ‘bad day’. Scenes address social distancing, lockdown, mental health and daily routines.

    When someone dies from coronavirus: a guide for families & carers:
    An illustrated resource on how to respond when somebody dies from coronavirus. Aimed at family and carers.

    Prepared by Prof. Sheila the Baroness Hollins & Prof. Irene Tuffrey-Wijne. These can be downloaded from the website:

     

    The Beyond Words channel (with all our videos) can be accessed here:

     

    The following four give a good introduction and are particularly useful videos.

     

  • Katie Buckingham is a young woman who an amazing entrepreneur , and runs an organisation focussed on Mental Health and Well Being,  Altruist . She also has a diagnosis of Autism , and serves with me on the National Girls and Autism Forum . She has been a powerful advocate for our work, has written a chapter in the “Girls and Autism”  book , and has undertaken many public speaking engagements , openly discussing her own journey toward diagnosis , and the struggles with her mental health.

     

    Katie writes : –
    “As part of our commitment to supporting positive mental health, I will be releasing weekly social media videos with practical tips on how individuals can implement the 5 Ways to Well-being at Home”.

     

    The 5 Ways to Well-being are as follows:

     

    1. Stay Connected
    2. Be Active
    3. Take Notice
    4. Learn
    5. Give

  • “This video introduces ways for parents and carers to manage media coverage of traumatic events, and talk to their children about their worries and fears”

    Talking to children about natural disasters, traumatic events, or worries about the future from Emerging Minds on Vimeo.

    More from Emerging Minds Australia here: https://emergingminds.com.au/ 

  • This account from BBC news gives some useful facts and ideas for self regulation, which would be useful for schools to share with students .

    Stay strong, stay well, stay connected.

    Barry

    Stories, from the BBC – Link

  • A new resource on Coronavirus – For children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. 

    We hope you are keeping well in these difficult times.
    Our big news is that we are in the process of creating a special resource about Coronavirus. The current pictures are in black and white. We are making them available now for free for anyone who is in urgent need.

    In the story, we meet Kali again (some of you might recognise her from ‘Belonging’) when she starts to feel poorly with a cough and a temperature. Our short wordless story will help people to understand what to do if you have Coronavirus (COVID-19) to keep yourself and those you care about safe. The story also shows how you can safely help others who may be self-isolating.

    Supplementary text at the end of the story gives information on where people can seek help if they are unwell and signposts to other useful resources.
    This is an evolving resource which we will be updating regularly as our artist, Lucy Bergonzi, refines and colours the pictures.

    You can download your copy, here:

    beating-the-virus by books beyond words