Cornwall Schools’ Wellbeing Hub Newsletter 23rd January 2026
Friday 23rd January 2026
Welcome to the Wellbeing Newsletter
Belonging has been on our minds again recently. Belonging is the theme of the upcoming Children’s Mental Health Week from Place 2 Be. We are looking forward to taking part.
Belonging is also a feature of the new Ofsted Framework as one of the new three core principles underpinning the Ofsted framework: Achieve. Belong. Thrive. This means that when looking at pupils’ experience of school they are likely to explore whether pupils do feel they belong at school and may be interested to know what leaders have done to build that sense of belonging.
We’ve started dipping into Ofsted reports from the across the country to see if we can see belonging explicitly mentioned in reporting. We are also looking for emerging themes that might help us help schools. It’s early days but belonging is mentioned in everyone that we’ve looked at so far. Mention is made most often in the sections on Inclusion, Personal Development and Wellbeing and ‘What it’s like to be a pupil at this school’. Of course, it’s not just the word we need to look for but context…
What would be helpful in terms of wellbeing and belonging support? How best can we help? It would be good to hear your thoughts.
Review: The Wonder by Tom Percival
Published in the past week. A poignant picture book that encourages us to take notice of all the wondrous little things that happen to us each day.
Daniel is having a terrible day. From the rain that tumbles down from the dark, grey skies to the puddles that soak his shoes, Daniel’s convinced that nothing will lift his mood. But everything changes when he hears the sweet, delicate sound of music, barely audible beneath the rain. Perhaps, if he looks carefully enough, Daniel might find that there are moments of joy and wonder that can brighten even the darkest of days…
This is the start of an adventure for Daniel where he sets out to look out for the small wonders in the everyday. It is beautifully realised in the illustration and Tom Percival’s incredible use of colour, light and movement.
This is an effective, evidence-based, wellbeing strategy. Included in the 5 Ways to Wellbeing as Stop and Take Notice. More recently psychologists have referred to these ‘wonder moments’ as ‘glimmers’. (“micro-moments of connection and regulation that activate the nervous system’s calming response, fostering feelings of safety, joy, and well-being” Debs Dana).
This is a simple strategy to share with children and young people. The Wonder is a brilliant way to do that. It’s not just a book for the younger ones. as the blurb has it – ‘...for ages 3 – 99’. Highly recommended.
What’s on the website?
Feeling Safe: Protective Behaviours
Protective Behaviours helps children and young people feel safe - physically, socially, emotionally, and psychologically. It strengthens emotional literacy, builds confidence, supports digital resilience, and sits perfectly within a Whole School, trauma‑informed approach to wellbeing.
Headstart Kernow offer PBs training and the Strategies for Safety and Wellbeing programme, an eight‑week DfE‑researched approach to promoting safety and help‑seeking.
Don’t forget you can now access this and previous newsletters on the website
Training & Events
Barnardos Self‑Harm & Suicidal Behaviours CPD – New February 2026 Dates
New dates are now available for the Layered Learning CPD Package focused on supporting children and young people who self‑harm or express suicidal thoughts. This half‑day training explores the topic through three parts: building understanding, reflective thinking, and practical resources.
It’s a valuable opportunity for professionals to deepen knowledge, reflect on their practice, and access helpful tools for supporting young people.
Words Matter – Free Online Course on Communication with Children
A new free online course, Words Matter: How to Communicate with Children so they Thrive, has just launched for parents, carers, educators and any adult supporting young people. This three‑week, evidence‑based programme combines expert insight, research, neuroscience, and practical everyday tips. It also features powerful perspectives from children and young people, including 13‑year‑old Ethan, who shares a poem and reflections each week.
This is a great opportunity to learn simple communication approaches that help children flourish.
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
BrainWaves
BrainWaves offers a free wellbeing curriculum of lessons and teacher resources to strengthen student mental health and wellbeing across secondary schools and sixth form colleges.
Crayola Creativity Week 26 – 30th January
Resources / activities and ideas for theme of ‘Colour Inspires Creativity’
Place2Be – Children’s Mental Health Week: “This Is My Place”
With Children’s Mental Health Week just around the corner (9–15 February), Place2Be has released a fun creative activity all about this year’s theme, “This Is My Place.” Children can make their own personal map to celebrate where they feel they belong — whether that’s a place, group, activity, or something special to them.
It’s a lovely way to spark creativity and support wellbeing. Check it out here.
Online Safety – Gender Differences in Children’s Online Experiences
Internet Matters has released new findings on how girls and boys experience the online world differently. Their survey of UK young people shows that while online habits are becoming more similar, girls are more likely to face unwanted contact from strangers and receive upsetting messages. Both groups report positive online experiences overall, but around two‑thirds have encountered something negative.
The report also highlights how girls are more likely to talk to someone when something goes wrong, whereas boys tend to use platform tools to manage issues themselves.
Anxiety Toolkit – Anna Freud Organisation
Everyone experiences anxiety, and for children it can feel especially overwhelming. Without support, it can be hard for them to recognise what’s happening or manage those feelings in the moment. Helping children understand anxiety is an important step in building resilience and confidence.
The Anna Freud Organisation has created a helpful toolkit for teachers, offering resources and an animation to support discussions about anxiety in the classroom.
Take a look at the toolkit here
Education Support – Teacher Wellbeing Index 2025 Survey
Education Support is inviting feedback on their latest Teacher Wellbeing Index 2025. They want to know whether the report reflects the real pressures teaching staff across the UK are facing. Some key findings include: the lowest wellbeing score recorded since 2019, 76% of staff reporting stress, and over a third at risk of probable clinical depression.
Your anonymous feedback will help strengthen future research and ensure it remains relevant to the sector. The survey takes less than five minutes.
Pooky Knightsmith - Supporting Executive Function
Executive function is like the brain’s project manager - helping us plan, stay organised, focus, and manage everyday tasks. When it’s working well, we barely notice it, but when it’s not, everything becomes more challenging. Difficulties are common in ADHD and autism, but can affect anyone dealing with stress, anxiety, trauma or tiredness.
Pooky Knightsmith has created three helpful guides exploring practical strategies for schools, home, and adults. Each one breaks down key areas such as working memory, organisation, planning, emotional regulation and attention, with easy-to-use ideas and child‑friendly explanations.
Explore the resource bundle here.
Executive Function Challenges - strategies for adults .pdf
Supporting Executive Function at Home.pdf
Supporting Executive Function at School.pdf
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.