Cornwall Schools’ Wellbeing Hub Newsletter 12th February 2026
Thursday 12th February 2026
Welcome to the Wellbeing Newsletter
Yay, you made it! It’s half term. We wish you a restful and restorative break (and possibly a day or two without rain…)
Voting has started for the Cornwall Youth Council elections. It was great to spend the day with colleagues from the Children’s Rights Team at Callington College yesterday helping them manage the vote for pupils across the school. It will be exciting to see the new council elected.
It is going to be sad to say goodbye to the current members. They have achieved an amazing amount in their two-year term. Their work will be celebrated at a farewell event this week
It’s been joyful to see how widely Children’s Mental Health Week has been marked by schools across Cornwall. On top of everything else you have cram into busy school days it’s remarkable that so many find time and enthusiasm for more.
The ‘This is My Place’ theme has resonated widely and there have been thoughtful articles and reflections by many leading educationalists and organisations. There were two excellent articles in the TES this week. One by Jean Gross (author, SEL guru and more) and another by Guy Shears (a trust CEO.
Shears argues that ‘…when belonging thrives, attendance follows’ and argues that belonging can be designed through an ‘intentional culture that not just what we do but how we do it’. He then describes how People, Places, Curriculum and Enrichment are used to create a sense of belonging.
Jean Gross writes about the importance of how belonging is defined and measured. She looks at existing tools and resources but also suggests ideas for the sorts of questions schools can include in an audit for self-evaluation.
Both are excellent and thoughtful pieces. Available on the TES website (links on our belonging page, see below)
We have created a ‘knowledge bank’ of resources, articles, tools to support work around belonging. It will be added to regularly and we’d welcome your suggestions for content or examples of good practice you’d like to share.
www.headstartkernow.org.uk/belonging
Wellbeing Book of the Week
The Mystery of the Colour Thief by Ewa Jozefowicz
A chapter book for upper KS2 and KS3, the colour thief is about friendship and belonging and nature and hope and finding out why the colour thief is in Izzy’s nightmares and stealing all the colours.
It is an exploration of memory, of feelings, of the importance of connection to nature for wellbeing and also a compelling story of school friendships burgeoning independence and saving a swan called Spike. Recommended.
There are some thoughtful reflection activities included at the end of the book (also available to download).
What’s on the Headstart Kernow website?
Brilliant ME! – Primary wellbeing downloadable journal
Brilliant ME!, a primary wellbeing journal with a Cornish, sea‑themed design that supports belonging, resilience, and PSHE mental‑wellbeing goals. It links to frameworks like Boingboing’s Resilience Framework and the 5 Ways to Wellbeing, with additional links to guidance and journal pages.
Don’t forget you can now access this and previous newsletters on the website
Training & Events
When the Adults Change- NEW Training Packages launched
Parent Coach Courses https://www.whentheadultschang...
Behaviour Book Club is on the first Tuesday of every month with our own Sam Stocken. Sign up for free here www.WhenTheAdultsChange.com/events
Partner School Open Day will be on March 6th - contact Tracey@WhenTheAdultsChange.com to get involved.
Our Early Years Course has been approved by the EEF https://www.whentheadultschang...
Paul and Tara hit the road with fabulous live Keynotes, book early, availability is going fast https://www.whentheadultschang...
Free weekly tips from Paul, sign up on the homepage www.WhenTheAdultsChange.com
2026 Read for Empathy Collection
The 2026 Read for Empathy collection has launched! This inspiring selection of 65 books for ages 3–16+ helps young people connect with themselves, others, and the world around them. Curated by expert librarians, teachers, booksellers, and academics, it showcases diverse, powerful stories that spark conversation and nurture empathy - a vital life skill for wellbeing and strong relationships.
Have you joined the Headstart Kernow Creative Education membership yet?
Sign up here: www.headstartkernow.org.uk/creative-education/
Download our updated Creative Education membership information fliers with access links for:
Stay in touch: Check out our training and other support and sign up for the occasional newsletter.
And follow us on our page on the Services for Schools platform.
News and Resources
Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week: 9–15 February
Place2Be
This year’s theme from Place2Be is “This is my place”, focusing on the importance of belonging for children and young people’s mental health. Schools and colleges play a key role in helping pupils feel they truly belong.
Children’s Mental Health Week 2026: Exploring belonging with free resources from Thrive
A look at this year’s Children’s Mental Health Week theme, This Is My Place, and why belonging is so central to children’s emotional wellbeing. This section highlights Thrive’s free resource packs for early years, primary, and secondary settings, offering practical activities, assemblies, and relational approaches that help children feel safe, connected, and valued. It also touches on how belonging supports mental health and behaviour, and how these flexible resources can complement any existing wellbeing work.
Children’s Mental Health Week 2026: EYFS Resource Pack EYFS
A short introduction to Twinkl’s EYFS resource pack for Children’s Mental Health Week 2026, themed This Is My Place. This section highlights the age‑appropriate activity sheets and editable PowerPoint designed to help young children explore belonging, feelings, and emotional wellbeing in simple, engaging ways. It also notes that the pack is fully editable, allowing practitioners to adapt materials to suit different learners and settings.
Free Wellbeing Measurement Surveys
All Wellbeing Measurement for Schools modular surveys are available free for schools and colleges. Two particularly relevant options for this year’s theme include:
- School Life Survey – insight into how pupils feel about day‑to‑day school experiences
- Relationships Survey – understanding connections with peers and trusted adults
Additional Resources from Anna Freud
Throughout the week, colleagues at Anna Freud will be sharing resources and content to support a stronger sense of belonging for all children and young people, whatever their circumstances.
ELSA – Free resources
A spotlight on the wide range of wellbeing and emotional literacy resources available on Elsa‑Support. This section highlights the breadth of downloadable materials, including lesson plans, worksheets, mindfulness activities, pupil leaflets, tangible items from Debbie’s Hive, and an expanding collection of secondary resources. It also notes that users can request new resources or adaptations, ensuring support that’s flexible, relevant, and tailored to children’s needs.
Celebrating the launch of the 2026 Read for Empathy collection
A look at this year’s inspiring Read for Empathy collection, featuring 65 books for ages 3–16+ that help young people explore empathy, connection, and the world around them. This section highlights the diversity of the titles, links to the Primary and Secondary guides, and shares details of a free learning webinar with featured authors. It also includes ways to support EmpathyLab through early registration for the Empathy Day Festival, offering free events, activities, and digital resources for schools, libraries, and families.
Safer Internet Day 2026: Smart tech, safe choices
A short look at this year’s Safer Internet Day, focusing on the theme Smart tech, safe choices and the safe, responsible use of AI. This section highlights the importance of refreshing conversations around online safety, digital wellbeing, and critical thinking, especially as AI becomes part of children’s everyday online lives. It also points readers to practical resources from the UK Safer Internet Centre, including top tips for parents, carers, children, and young people, along with further guidance for schools and families.
Bullying Prevention Tool - A tool for the school and children’s workforce
A practical framework designed to help schools and children’s settings strengthen their bullying prevention strategy. Created using the Anti‑Bullying Alliance’s expertise, this tool outlines four key elements of effective practice, supported by useful examples and resources. It’s a simple, structured way to understand what’s happening in your setting and take meaningful steps towards a whole‑school approach to preventing bullying.
Have you visited our new www.headstartkernow.org.uk website yet?
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.
Have a look and let us know what you think!
Stay in touch: Check out our training and other support at www.headstartkernow.org.uk and sign up for the occasional newsletter.
And follow us on our page on the Services for Schools platform.