Cornwall Schools’ Wellbeing Hub Newsletter 8th January 2026
Thursday 8th January 2026
Welcome to the Wellbeing Newsletter
Welcome back and best wishes from us all. We hope you have a safe, successful, stress-free 2026.
We are excited about the National Year of Reading and theme, ‘Go All In’.
We have a wonderful opportunity to celebrate not just learning to read, but the powerful role stories play in children’s emotional wellbeing and sense of belonging.
Stories help children make sense of themselves and the world around them. Through characters and pictures, children explore feelings, relationships, challenges and hope — often finding the words for emotions they may not yet be able to name themselves. Reading together can offer reassurance (“I’m not the only one”), open up conversations, and create shared moments of connection.
Picture books and stories also support:
- Emotional understanding – recognising and talking about feelings
- Empathy and kindness – seeing the world through someone else’s eyes
- Belonging – feeling seen, understood and valued
- Calm and regulation – stories can soothe, slow things down and help children feel safe
Throughout 2026, we’ll be sharing book recommendations that support wellbeing, inclusion and belonging, alongside ideas for using stories at home and in school. We hope they spark conversations, comfort children when things feel tricky, and remind us all of the quiet power of a good story.
What’s on the website?
Headstart Kernow – 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
FULLY FUNDED BY HEADSTART KERNOW
LAST FEW PLACES REMAINING
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
Talking with children about difficult things in the news
An excellent guide from the Fred Rogers Institute. Great for teachers and parents and carers too. With so much happening in the world that’s unsettling this may come in very useful
https://www.fredrogersinstitute.org/files/resources/7/difficult-things-2025.pdf
Words Matter – update
The Words Matter charity is all about the power of language in the lives of child and young people.
New resource - Talking with Teenagers
Developed with children and young people’s mental health specialist Dr Fiona Pienaar, we launched a new resource offering practical guidance for parents, carers, teachers, and anyone supporting teenagers. This evidence-based guide explains why emotions can feel intense, how communication can help, and how ongoing brain maturation, especially in areas linked to planning, impulse control, and emotional regulation, contributes to heightened sensitivity and challenges for both teenagers and adults.
Pooky Knightsmith - SLIDES & NOTES: Emotional Wellbeing Informed Schools
Another thought provoking and practical resource to support schools to reflect on wellbeing and belonging.
Pooky shares her resources freely and they are always well worth a look.
Download Emotionally Wellbeing-Informed Schools.pptx
Download Creating Emotional Wellbeing Schools Companion Notes.docx
Download Creating Emotionally Wellbeing–Informed Classrooms Guided Reflection Tool .docx
SEAL Community Newsletter
There is always a sense of anticipation when a newsletter from the SEAL Community reaches our mailbox. It is always full of excellent articles, resources and ideas on emotional wellbeing in schools.
Although it’s important to note that to access some of the resources you need to be a full member of the SEAL Community AND be logged in to the SEAL site.
Children’s Mental Health Week 2026 – Belonging ‘This is My Place’
Belonging is one of the principles underpinning the new Ofsted Framework: Achieve. Belong. Thrive.
And this year’s Children’s Mental Health Week (9th – 15th February) is all about Belonging and the aim is to support the systems around children and young people to them feel they belong.
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.