Bereaved pupils often find change difficult and the transition to a new school year or new school can be particularly daunting.

Pass on details of the bereavement, including important dates, to subsequent teachers/schools to ensure continued support and understanding for the pupil.

“One of our students had been given a three-day exclusion. I asked if the staff member had been aware of the death of the boy’s father 2 years previously. They hadn’t. The exclusion was just before Father’s Day and the young man was struggling to cope.”

If possible, prepare the pupil for the changes ahead and encourage them to share any concerns they may have.

Develop their resilience by reminding them how they have coped with previous changes and how they are ready for new challenges in the future.