Cornwall Schools’ Wellbeing Hub Newsletter 27th November 2025
Thursday 27th November 2025
Welcome to the Wellbeing Newsletter
Looking for something completely different we came across the Warmth Framework which is part of the website Barriers to Education. The site has been created by education & health professionals, families and children and young people working together to explore helping children and young people be and stay in school.
This website has been designed as a practical, flexible resource to support everyone working to reduce barriers to education.
“At the heart of the site is the WARMTH Framework. Although the underlying reasons for young people not being in school may differ (such as absence or exclusion) the WARMTH framework is designed to be inclusive for all young people”.
The WARMTH Framework focuses on 6 key areas to enable young people to feel safe, a sense of belonging and for their needs to be met; with increased engagement in learning and school attendance.
- Wellbeing First
- Affirming Practice
- Relational Approach
- Mutual Understanding & Partnership
- Timely Response
- Holistic Support
The site includes practical tools and resources for everyone - children, young people and their families as well as for school staff and other professionals.
Barriers to Education is also keen to highlight best practice examples and top tips.
In the last couple of weeks we have the chance to meet a number of staff from a range of schools and MATs who have shared some of the truly outstanding work they have been doing to support pupils.
One thing they all had in common was their belief that that what they were doing was ‘nothing special’ and mostly baulked at the idea of sharing more widely.
Have you come across a card game called The Mind? It is deceptively simple, occasionally frustrating and a potentially brilliant addition to SEL resources – teamwork, co-operation, patience and more…
It reminded us of the fun circle time game ‘rocket launcher’ which was always THE favourite game to play. The Mind is for 2 to 4 players, not quite so raucous but hugely satisfying when it works…
We hope all things Christmas are going well.
What’s on the website?
Headstart Kernow – The Lemonade Project
The Lemonade Project is all about building resilience in young people who are experiencing low levels of emotional wellbeing. Based on the Boingboing Resilience Framework, it offers practical tools and resources to help children and young people navigate life’s challenges.
Don’t forget you can now access this and previous newsletters on the website
Training & Events
FULLY FUNDED BY HEADSTART KERNOW
SPACE (Supporting Parents and Children Emotionally) Combined 3-day Facilitator
Training for Professionals
Become a SPACE facilitator with fully funded 3-day training by Headstart Kernow. Support families through trauma-informed, relationship-based practice. Explore course details and how to apply here.
27th -29th of January 2026
Please email us at SPACE@Cornwall.gov.uk to express your interest.
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
Time2Move Christmas Holiday Programme
Christmas activities are now open for bookings across the county! We’re proud to offer a wide range of fun and festive sessions for children and families. The programme is open to all children, with fully funded places available for those receiving benefits-related free school meals.
We’re also bringing back our popular Family Experiences, available to book through Playwaze, so families can enjoy the season together.
Elsa-Support
Welcome to Elsa-Support, your go-to website for high-quality ELSA resources designed to support children’s wellbeing and development. We provide downloadable materials for ELSAs, educators, parents, and carers to help nurture emotional resilience, social skills, and positive mental health in children.
Comprehensive Resources
Our collection includes:
- Lesson Plans covering emotions, self-awareness, self-esteem, bereavement, EBSA, and friendship
- Activities & Worksheets such as interactive lapbooks
- Mindfulness Exercises to reduce stress and enhance focus
- Leaflets for KS1 and KS2 pupils on sleep, self-care, strengths, emotions, and empathy
- Tangible Products like stickers, notepads, and lanyards in Debbie’s Hive
- Secondary Resources developed over 10 years to support older students
Mental Health in Neurodivergent Learners – Pooky Knightsmith
Pooky Knightsmith has shared a full slide deck and companion notes from her recent session on supporting the mental health of neurodivergent children.
The resources explore three key overlapping areas: sensory processing, emotional regulation, and social communication. They take a compassionate look at why mental health challenges often present differently in neurodivergent learners, and how we can respond with understanding rather than compliance.
Highlights include:
- Behaviour as communication — listening to what’s really being said
- Early indicators of distress that are often misunderstood
- Practical sensory, emotional, and communication supports you can use right away
- The importance of co‑regulation and reframing masking, rigidity, withdrawal, and meltdowns with compassion
Access the slides and notes here
Protecting Our Planet – Final Week of Empathy Action Month
It’s the last week of Empathy Action Month, and we’re focusing on how you can make your surroundings greener or connect with people, places, and animals impacted by the climate crisis.
Simple Actions, Big Impact
- Plant bulbs or add greenery to your space
- Pick up litter in your local area
- Choose a greener way to travel
- Reduce waste, reuse what you can, and make sustainable swaps
Every small step helps protect our planet and supports those most affected by climate change.
November Focus: Men’s & Boys’ Mental Health – Nip in the Bud
At Nip in the Bud, we believe conversations about mental health start early — at home, in everyday moments, and with language that helps children name what they feel. Teaching children to understand emotions builds resilience and healthier relationships.
Age Friendly Cornwall
Age Friendly Communities are recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as places that help people to live a good later life. Public Health Cornwall is working in partnership to support an application for Cornwall to become an Age Friendly Community. People throughout Cornwall are being invited to share their thoughts including C&YP under 16:
Under 16
What are your thoughts about older people in Cornwall? Do you like talking to them? How do you think young and older people can better understand each other? Your ideas can help make Cornwall friendlier for everyone, no matter their age! Tell us what you think by taking the Age-Friendly survey – visit https://letstalk.cornwall.gov.uk/age-friendly-communities
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.