Cornwall Schools’ Wellbeing Hub Newsletter 30th April 2026
Thursday 30th April 2026
Welcome to the Wellbeing Newsletter
It’s been encouraging to see some sunshine over the past couple of weeks, along with the lighter mornings and signs of spring. Hopefully there have been small opportunities to enjoy the change in pace that brighter days can sometimes bring.
Book of the Week
Wonder by R. J. Palacio
Set around a key moment of transition, Wonder follows Auggie Pullman as he starts a new school after being home‑educated. Told through multiple perspectives, the book offers a thoughtful look at belonging, kindness, and the impact of everyday actions within a school community. It’s an accessible read that resonates with anyone working with children and young people navigating change.
This week's Headstart highlight!
A Universal / Whole School Approach supports a trauma‑informed, relational culture where emotional wellbeing is everybody’s business. Evidence shows that whole‑school, multi‑component approaches strengthen wellbeing, belonging, attendance and attainment by recognising that learning and mental health are closely connected. Read more here
Week 4
Continuing our series highlighting the resources available to support you navigate issues children and young people face in the digital world, this week we want to let you know about the Headstart Online Resilience Podcast. We have created over 40 podcasts where Professor of Digital Rights Andy Phippen, and Youth Worker and PhD student Louisa Street discuss a variety of issues linked to young people and the digital world. Our most popular episodes are about ‘sexting’ and how to talk to young people about porn. Recently, we’ve released episodes about social media bans for young people and consent in the digital world. (All these links go to Spotify, but you can also search “Headstart Online Resilience” wherever you listen to podcasts).
Coping with Uncertainty – Place2Be
In this reflective piece, Judah Racham, Place2Be’s Programme Leader for Family Work, explores how uncertainty shows up in children’s lives and how adults can respond. Drawing on a conversation with his son, Judah highlights how exposure to global news and online content can raise difficult questions for children, and reminds us that we don’t need to have all the answers. Instead, being present, listening, and offering reassurance can help children feel supported when the world feels unpredictable.
Check out Place2Be’s Coping with Uncertainty reflection here.
Neurodivergent‑Friendly Practice – Pooky’s Weekly Round‑Up (Issue 144)
This week’s round‑up from Pooky Knightsmith brings together practical, accessible resources focused on working with neurodivergent brains rather than against them. It includes guidance on whole‑school neurodivergent‑friendly design, how to support children who shut down, the importance of allowing processing time, and approaches to revision that better suit ADHD brains, all highly relevant as exam season approaches.
Check out Pooky’s Weekly Round‑Up on neurodivergent‑friendly practice here.
Rise Mental Health Support – Wellbeing Resources
Rise Mental Health Support offers a range of practical wellbeing resources for children and young people, parents and carers, and professionals. The resources focus on building emotional understanding, coping skills and resilience, helping people feel more informed and supported when managing emotional wellbeing and mental health.
Check out Rise Mental Health Support’s wellbeing resources here.
YoungMinds – Support with Grief and Loss
This YoungMinds guide offers practical advice for anyone supporting a young person experiencing grief or loss. Co‑created with young people and sector partners, it focuses on understanding feelings and behaviours, coping with life changes, and knowing what to say (and what not to say) when offering support. Designed for schools, youth workers and community settings.
Check out YoungMinds’ guide to supporting young people with grief and loss here.
Spring Wellbeing Activities – Twinkl
Twinkl’s Spring Wellbeing Activities offer simple, creative ways to help children relax, recharge and focus on self‑care. Including word searches, calendars, posters and colouring pages, these resources are easy to use in classrooms or at home and are well‑suited to the lighter, brighter days of the season.
Check out Sprinkl’s Spring Wellbeing Activities here.
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:
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