Key Points – Support for bereaved pupils in school
- Offer simple choices for a bereaved pupil to give them a little control in a world which feels very confusing and muddled.
- A time-out option can help a bereaved pupil feel more secure in case their grief overwhelms them in school.
- Support for a bereaved pupil’s friends will help to reduce issues with their friendship group.
- Explanations should be clear and honest, using age-appropriate language which avoids the confusion of euphemisms.
- Acknowledge the person who died and offer opportunities for the bereaved pupil to share or collect memories.
- Be mindful of significant dates and curriculum areas which may cause upset.
- Offer information and signpost the family/carers to support if necessary.
- Check in with the pupil regularly and check to make sure that they are managing their grief.
Reflective practice – Role of the school
Using the adapted SWOT analysis tool, consider the impact of:
- Receiving news that a pupil in your care has been bereaved of a parent.
- Hearing that a friend and teaching colleague at your school died suddenly over the weekend.
Supporting Content
