Cornwall Schools’ Wellbeing Hub Newsletter 12th March 2026
Thursday 12th March 2026
Welcome to the Wellbeing Newsletter
The TES published its 2026 Teacher Wellbeing Report earlier this week. There is perhaps no surprise that it makes for gloomy reading on the whole. The report highlights continued poor wellbeing, with 57 per cent of respondents experiencing negative wellbeing. Workload pressures have increased since the last survey, with 71 per cent of respondents saying their workload is unmanageable. The report warns that its findings “suggest that the profession is moving from a state of high-pressure endurance to one of burnout”.
At the same time, it is clear that teachers remain deeply committed, and many remain positive about their role in education: 54 per cent of those surveyed reported moderate to favourable job satisfaction. However, for many, their commitment and passion are not enough in the face of the challenges, and 61 per cent of respondents said they do not plan to stay in the profession for the long term.
When we talk about pupil wellbeing, relational practice, belonging, and whole-school approaches, staff wellbeing must be at the heart. As the report highlights, “teacher wellbeing is a critical component of high-quality education”, and it is central to achieving the wide-ranging ambitions in the Every Child Thriving and Achieving white paper.
Every day we see the passion and commitment of school staff doing the very best for the children in their care. We remain in awe of what you do and the difference you make. Thank you.
Education Support offer free and confidential emotional support for teachers and education staff:
08000 562 561
educationsupport.org.uk/helpline
Education Support have also recently published: Cultures that care: a retention toolkit for schools
Book Review of the Week
The Scribbles Crew Feelings Collection (6 Books) - Channon Gray
Untangling Big Emotions – one scribble at a time.
‘The Scribbles Crew’ are a series of 6 books designed to support emotional literacy by helping children to understand and talk about their big feelings. Playful illustrations help break down complex or overwhelming emotions and provide simple, practical steps to build self‑awareness, empathy and resilience, and develop self‑regulation. The series also helps support parents to feel less alone in guiding their child’s wellbeing, and teachers too, with a wealth of classroom resources and online materials.
Titles: All About…
…Sad Scribble
…Happy Scribble
…Calm Scribble
…Worried Scribble
…Angry Scribble
…Confident Scribble
The ‘Scribbles Crew’ are a bright and colourful collection of emotions characters that have been a part of the Exciting Teacher website for some time and have now made their debut in a series of guides. Each book has a simple introduction to the feeling and how we might experience it; important messages about sharing with a trusted adult; plus ideas and strategies to help. The illustrations are engaging. The font used in the main text is ‘Dyslexia Open’ and each book includes how to say the feeling in Makaton.
There is a QR code on the back of each book which goes to additional resources, which we were pleased to see were available for free. There are also more resources available as part of the Excited Teacher subscriptions.
This week's Headstart highlight!
Digital Resilience Resources for Professionals
HeadStart has expanded its Digital Resilience guidance for professionals working with children and young people. The updated tool helps you identify whether online behaviours are not harmful, potentially harmful, or harmful, and outlines what to do next, including who to contact for support.
There is also specialist guidance for supporting young people with SEND, with clear, consistent language to help adults talk confidently about the online world. A self‑guided e‑learning course is available too, covering relevant law, the tool in detail, and how to recognise and respond to concerning behaviours.
Professionals can explore topics such as:
- Device use, screen time and sleep
- Online education and information seeking
- Extremist content
- Friendships, online interactions and family activities
- Gaming
- Relationships and sex
- Social media use and online bullying
- Exposure to frightening or harmful content
HeadStart Digital Resilience Tool - Updated and easier to use.
HeadStart has refreshed its Digital Resilience tools, making them more interactive and simpler to navigate. There’s also a short “Getting Started” video from Louisa to help you find the right resources quickly.
Time2Move Easter Holiday Programme! Bookings now LIVE for Easter!
Easter activities are now live for bookings! Time2Move are proud to be offering a wide range of activities across the county for young people in Cornwall. To find out more, head to their website linked below.
Time2Move Easter Holiday Programme! Bookings now LIVE for Easter! – Book here
This Easter, they are doing things a little differently to make the experience even better for everyone. More activities will be added over the coming weeks rather than having all activities online on the first day. Hopefully, this will ensure that there is enough for everyone to choose from, so keep an eye on socials for updates!
The programme is open to all children, with fully funded places available for those receiving benefits‑related free school meals.
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
Freaks, Geeks & Weirdos – Creative Course for Neurodivergent Teens (13–16) – Your Art Connected
A relaxed, neuro‑affirming 6‑week creative group for young people aged 13–16 who are autistic, ADHD, AuDHD, otherwise neurodivergent, or exploring their identity. Through art, gentle discussion and shared interests, we explore identity, confidence, friendships, communication styles, masking, and burnout all in a space designed by people who genuinely get it.
- Free trial sessions available
- Led by neurodivergent creatives
- Sensory‑aware, no‑pressure, no forced sharing
Runs from 24th April – 29th May 2026 at The Nook in Perranporth.
Book onto the Freaks, Geeks & Weirdos Creative course for Neurodivergent Teens
Online Safety Consultation - The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology has opened a national consultation on how to keep children safe and supported in a fast‑changing digital world. They’re seeking views from everyone, including children and young people on topics such as potential age restrictions for social media, limits on design features like infinite scrolling/autoplay, the digital age of consent, and better support for families.
The consultation is open until 26th May 2026.
Growing up in the online world: a national consultation
Children’s Development set back years by Covid lockdowns – Lancaster University
New research from Lancaster University, the University of East Anglia and Durham shows that Covid lockdowns had a measurable impact on young children’s ability to self‑regulate. Children who were in reception when the first lockdowns began showed slower development in key executive function skills such as focus, flexibility, and managing behaviour, compared to children who were still in preschool at the time.
The findings suggest that children who missed out on early school routines, social interaction and classroom structure may still feel the effects years later, highlighting the need for continued support across schools and services.
Children’s development set back years by Covid lockdowns - Lancaster University
Supporting Children to Talk About Conflict in the Middle East
The Children’s Commissioner has shared guidance to help adults support children who may be distressed by the recent news from the Middle East. Many young people will have seen difficult images online or may have personal connections to the region, leaving them feeling worried, uncertain or overwhelmed.
The Commissioner encourages honest, age‑appropriate conversations, giving children space to ask questions and express feelings safely. Trusted adults, parents, carers, teachers and community workers play a vital role in offering reassurance and helping children make sense of what they’re seeing.
Children who need further support can access services such as Childline and YoungMinds, and child‑friendly news sources like Newsround, First News and Children United Today may help them understand events in an appropriate way.
Read here about supporting children to talk about conflict in the Middle East
Let’s Talk Webinar Series – Now Available On‑Demand (£10 each)
Recordings from the Let’s Talk webinar series are now available to watch anytime. Explore sessions on belonging, neurodivergence, attendance and more, with practical strategies you can use in your setting.
“Great mix of research and practical application. Inspirational.” – Webinar attendee
Free Self‑Harm Prevention & Response Training for Schools
Anna Freud is recruiting 140 colleagues from non‑fee‑paying education settings for a new training programme focused on preventing and responding to self‑harm. Includes practical training, leadership support and ongoing guidance.
Free Wellbeing Training: Neurodiversity & Wellbeing in Schools
This fully funded training is available for staff in UK state primary and secondary schools. Deepen your understanding of neurodivergence and learn strategies to support students’ mental health and wellbeing.
Bullying Prevention Tool – Anti Bullying Alliance
The Anti‑Bullying Alliance has released a practical framework to help schools and children’s settings strengthen their bullying prevention strategy. The tool focuses on four key areas: understanding what bullying is and isn’t, promoting a respectful ethos, celebrating difference, and challenging discriminatory or derogatory language. It includes best‑practice examples and resources to support a whole‑school approach.
BULLYING PREVENTION TOOL A tool for the school and children’s workforce
Applications Now Open - Action Award 2026
Schools and colleges can now apply for the UK Feminista: Action Award 2026, celebrating settings that have embedded a whole‑school or whole‑college approach to challenging sexism and sexual harassment.
Start by taking the Action Pledge, then develop your whole‑school approach using the guidance, tools and resources provided. Awards are available at Bronze, Silver and Gold, with successful applicants invited to a celebration ceremony at the Houses of Parliament this summer.
For support with applying, you can contact: education@ukfeminista.org.uk
Understanding Sexual and Sexist Bullying - Anti Bullying Alliance
The Anti‑Bullying Alliance has shared guidance on recognising and responding to sexual and sexist bullying. These behaviours can overlap with sexual harassment and harmful sexual behaviour, and are often minimised as “banter,” which allows them to continue. Sexual and sexist bullying can also be used to police gender norms, and while girls are disproportionately affected, boys, LGBT young people and children with SEND are also at increased risk.
The guidance stresses the need for a clear, consistent, and safeguarding‑led approach across the whole school community.
Understanding Sexual and Sexist Bullying - Anti Bullying Alliance
When The Adults Change
NEW Training Packages launched including our unique Press Play INSET and fabulous 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
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.