Cornwall Schools’ Wellbeing Hub Newsletter 9th October 2026
Friday 9th October 2026
Welcome to the Wellbeing Newsletter
Find out more about the Cornwall Schools’ Wellbeing Hub and the support / resources / tools available to support “a Whole School, trauma informed, relational Approach to Wellbeing that is ‘Everybody’s Business’".
Welcome
As the autumn term gathers pace, many schools and services are balancing a familiar challenge: meeting increasing levels of need while continuing to create environments where children and young people feel safe, included and able to thrive.
This week's newsletter brings together a range of resources, training opportunities and developments that reflect those priorities. From strengthening belonging and inclusion through Brilliant Me in Action!, to supporting digital wellbeing, ADHD, SEND and mental health, there is a growing focus on practical approaches that can be embedded into everyday practice.
We're also sharing resources that support families to access help earlier, including the launch of the Kernow Education and Advice Line (KEAL), alongside thought-provoking research, professional learning opportunities and tools that can help schools respond to some of the issues affecting children and young people today.
Whether you're looking for fresh ideas, evidence-informed guidance or opportunities to develop staff knowledge and confidence, we hope you'll find something of value in this edition.
Thank you, as always, for the commitment, care and compassion you bring to supporting children, young people and families across Cornwall.
Wellbeing Book of the Week
Reaching the Unseen Children 2nd Edition by Jean Gross
Reaching the Unseen Children provides a powerful and accessible resource for schools working to raise the attainment of all disadvantaged pupils, with particular emphasis on white children from low-income backgrounds. Jean Gross argues that progress will only be made through early intervention and building pupils’ sense of capability, and sets out low-cost, low-effort ways in which teachers can transform outcomes for their students – through the everyday language they use, the expectations they convey, and the relationships they build with pupils and their parents.
Accessible and readable, this is a thoughtful and comprehensive book. It is essentially about the importance of inclusion and belonging with relational practice at heart for all in school. It is also offers practical strategies for addressing key areas of the attainment gap including literacy and numeracy. A very good read. The 2nd Edition is expanded and updated including an important new section on Attendance. Highly Recommended
This week's Headstart highlights
Brilliant Me in Action! An introduction
Webinar 16.00 - 17.30
22nd October OR 3rd November
A webinar introducing Brilliant Me in Action and the free resources behind it.
Schools are navigating significant change, alongside growing and increasingly complex needs around belonging, attendance, inclusion, wellbeing, RSHE and Oracy.
But schools don’t need another initiative. They need flexible, practical resources that can respond to where they are now and build from there.
Brilliant Me in Action! offers just that.
In the webinar, we’ll introduce the Brilliant Me approach centred around Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) and explore how the resources can support schools to:
- strengthen belonging and connection
- support attendance and engagement
- develop inclusive practice
- build Oracy and communication
- nurture wellbeing and positive relationships
- support RSHE and respond to the particular needs, priorities and context of your school
There is no one-size-fits-all starting point. Brilliant Me is intended to meet schools where they’re at - whether you are beginning to explore these areas, building on existing work, or looking for ways to bring different priorities together.
Other Exciting FREE Headstart Training Opportunities
SPACE - Supporting Parents and Children Emotionally
1 December - 3 December 2026 Online
Following the 3-day course with our partners at Rock Pool CIC, facilitators are equipped to deliver a five-week SPACE programme for parents and carers and/or children and young people within their own settings, helping to strengthen relationships, connections and emotional wellbeing across the school community. Please see the attached for more information.
Spaces are limited, therefore if you would like to register your interest, please do so as soon as you can by emailing space@cornwall.gov.uk
Supporting Military-Connected Children in Cornwall Schools
A new programme of whole-school training is being launched to help staff better understand and support children and young people from Armed Forces families. Delivered in partnership with HeadStart Kernow, Cornwall Council and Active Plus, the training is designed to increase awareness of the experience's military-connected children may face, including frequent school moves, parental deployment, family separation and disrupted learning.
Open to all school staff, the sessions will explore the military child experience, recognise emotional, social and academic needs, and share practical strategies for creating a military-friendly school culture. The training promotes a whole-school approach, recognising that every member of staff has a role to play in helping military-connected pupils feel safe, understood and supported.
Who should attend? Teachers, teaching assistants, pastoral and safeguarding staff, SENCOs, senior leaders, reception and office staff, catering teams, site staff, supervisors and anyone working with children and young people in school settings.
The training will be delivered over 2 hours, in person or x2 1 hour sessions.
To book or find out more please email: tracy.bowers@cornwall.gov.uk
Supporting families to navigate education with confidence
The Kernow Education and Advice Line (KEAL) is a Cornwall-wide service providing early advice, guidance and information for parents, carers and students with education-related questions or concerns.
KEAL offers impartial support on a wide range of issues, including learning needs, education pathways and wellbeing. Families can speak directly with experienced advisers who can provide information, explore available options and signpost to relevant services where appropriate.
Designed to complement existing specialist and statutory services, KEAL aims to help families access support early, understand the education system and feel more confident about next steps. The service is co-located within Cornwall's current front door services and can also connect families with wider sources of support, including parenting services and the Family Information Service.
Professionals working with children, young people and families are encouraged to share information about KEAL and consider signposting families who may benefit from early advice and guidance.
KEAL Contact Details
Telephone: 01872 324497
Opening Hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 8:45am to 5:15pm
- Friday: 8:45am to 4:45pm
- Closed on Bank Holidays
Find out more about KEAL here.
On-Demand CPD for School Staff and Professionals
Looking for flexible professional development that fits around a busy schedule? Pooky Knightsmith offers a growing library of on-demand CPD sessions covering topics such as neurodivergence, mental health, school attendance, executive functioning, autism and practical classroom strategies. Sessions can be accessed at any time and include companion notes, slides and a CPD certificate.
Cost: Individual licences are available from £20 + VAT, while school licences cost £100 + VAT, allowing resources to be shared across a wider school community.
Designed for teachers, support staff, SENCOs and school leaders, the training provides practical, evidence-informed strategies that can be applied straight away.
Explore the on-demand CPD library
Free SEND Resources, CPD and Wellbeing Support for School Staff
Looking for practical SEND and wellbeing support that you can access when it suits you? Positive Young Mind offers a wide range of free resources, blogs, webinars and CPD designed to support school staff working with children and young people. Topics include SEND, mental health, SEMH, inclusion, staff wellbeing and classroom practice.
The website also features SEND-focused newsletters, downloadable resources and professional development opportunities for SENCOs, inclusion leads and wider school staff, providing practical ideas and evidence-informed approaches that can be applied in everyday practice.
Free Mental Health Resources and Webinars
The Charlie Waller Trust continues to offer a wide range of free resources, webinars and practical guidance to support the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people. Designed for educators, parents, carers and professionals, their evidence-based resources cover topics including anxiety, self-harm, perfectionism, online wellbeing, resilience and supporting positive mental health in everyday settings.
Whether you're looking for classroom resources, parent support materials or professional learning opportunities, there is a wealth of information available to help strengthen mental health support for children and young people.
Find out more and explore free resources, upcoming webinars and practical mental health support
Helping Children Build Empathy Through Reading
EmpathyLab is a UK organisation dedicated to using books, stories and reading to help children develop empathy, understanding and kindness. Through a wide range of free resources, book recommendations, training and activities, EmpathyLab supports schools, libraries and families to nurture empathy while also encouraging a love of reading.
Their work is based on the belief that stories can help children see the world through other people's experiences, strengthening relationships, improving wellbeing and helping to create more inclusive communities.
Whether you're looking for classroom resources, booklists or whole-school approaches to promoting empathy, there is a wealth of support available.
Half of Girls Hear Misogynistic Comments at School, Research Finds
New research highlighted by TES has revealed that half of secondary-aged girls reported hearing misogynistic comments from other students on at least some days in the week before taking part in a government survey. The findings, based on responses from 1,653 secondary pupils, also showed an increase in the proportion of boys hearing misogynistic comments, rising from 29% to 36% between December 2025 and May 2026.
Students were told that misogynistic comments referred to those showing hatred towards girls and women, or beliefs that boys and men are superior. The findings come amid ongoing concerns about the impact of harmful online influences, gender stereotypes and toxic masculinity on young people's attitudes and behaviour.
This article may be of interest to school leaders, safeguarding leads, PSHE leads and professionals working to promote equality, inclusion and respectful relationships in education settings.
Read the full article and explore the findings
Free Digital Wellbeing Lessons and Upcoming CPD Opportunities
Supporting young people to navigate the digital world is an increasingly important part of promoting wellbeing in schools. BrainWaves has developed a series of free, ready-to-teach lessons as part of its Wellbeing in a Digital World curriculum, helping students understand online risks, develop healthier digital habits and build digital resilience.
Key lessons include:
- Staying Safe from Harm Online – helping students recognise online risks, harmful content and cyberbullying.
- Protecting Your Wellbeing in a World of Screens – exploring how different types of screen use can affect wellbeing.
- Taking Control of Smartphones – supporting young people to better understand and manage their digital habits.
All lessons are free to access with registration and include teacher notes and research guides to support delivery.
BrainWaves is also offering a free CPD webinar on 1 October (4.15pm to 5.00pm) exploring how outdoor and green spaces can support student mental health and wellbeing. The session will look at the evidence behind nature-based interventions and share practical ideas that schools can implement.
Looking further ahead, early bird tickets are now available for the BrainWaves Living Well Conference 2027, bringing together researchers, school leaders and wellbeing experts to explore the latest evidence on adolescent mental health.
Free ADHD Resource for School Staff
Dr Pooky Knightsmith has shared a free downloadable resource packed with practical strategies to help schools better understand and support pupils with ADHD. Covering common challenges including attention, organisation, emotional regulation and classroom engagement, the resource offers realistic, evidence-informed approaches that can be implemented straight away.
Suitable for teachers, teaching assistants, SENCOs and school leaders, the guidance focuses on creating ADHD-friendly learning environments where pupils feel understood, supported and able to succeed.
What Year 8 Pupils Tell Us About Wellbeing, Belonging and School Life
A major new study from the Department for Education and Anna Freud is following nearly 8,000 young people through secondary school and into early adulthood. The first findings provide an important snapshot of life for Year 8 pupils today, highlighting the links between wellbeing, belonging, attendance and engagement in school.
While most young people reported feeling positive about their lives overall, the research found that a significant minority are experiencing challenges with mental health, attendance and feeling connected to school. The findings also reinforce the importance of considering wellbeing, relationships, inclusion and belonging together, rather than as separate issues.
The report raises some important questions for all of us working with children and young people:
- Do young people feel safe?
- Do they feel that they belong?
- Do they feel that they matter?
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