Schools in Mind seminars

This seminar was a discussion of a new toolkit from the Anna Freud Centre and the Early Intervention Foundation, which provides guidance on practical steps school staff can take to promote and support mental health through their everyday interactions with students.

The seminar was chaired by Jaime Smith, Director of the Schools Division at the Anna Freud Centre, and she was joined by:

• Dr. Aleisha Clarke, Former Director of Evidence at the Early Intervention Foundation and current National Programme Manager for Mental Health and Wellbeing at HSE Ireland
• Miriam Sorgenfrei, Senior Research Officer at EIF
• Jean Gross CBE, best-selling author and independent expert on social, emotional and mental health
• Rahi Popat, Pastoral Support Officer at Keyham Lodge School.

Download the presentation slides.

This seminar introduces and explores the topic of emotionally-based school avoidance. We looked at the current national picture for school-aged children and explored the role of schools and parents and carers in supporting those who are affected.

The seminar was chaired by Natalie Merrett, Head of Knowledge Dissemination in Schools at the Anna Freud Centre. She was joined by two expert panellists Vicky Saward, Head of Training in the Schools Division at the Anna Freud Centre and Brenda McHugh MBE, Co-Founder of Pears Family School.

Download the presentation slides.

This seminar, chaired by Director of the Schools Division Jaime Smith, gave attendees an understanding of the impact of racism on the mental health and wellbeing of school staff and students. 

It also explored  the ways in which schools and colleges can better support staff and students who may have experienced racism. The seminar forms part of a suite of free materials created by the Anna Freud Centre, Anti-racism and mental health in schools.

Alongside these materials, which include podcasts and downloadable resources, we have also launched free e-learning for school staff covering topics such as student voice, representation, and racial trauma.

Download the presentation slides.

This seminar, chaired by Jaime Smith, hosted our colleagues from the UK Trauma Council (UKTC). 

This seminar aimed to help explain and identify traumatic bereavement, understand how it differs from 'normal' bereavement, and give education staff an introduction to how to support children and young people when experiencing a traumatic bereavement. 

Speakers included:

• David Trickey (Co-Director, UKTC; Consultant Clinical Psychologist at the Anna Freud Centre)
• Beck Ferrari (Child Bereavement Specialist)
• Jaime Cronk (Specialist Outreach Teacher, Social, Emotional and Mental Health at Five Acre Wood School and across Maidstone district)

Download the presentation slides.