Coping with grief in schools

 When someone within a school community has died, it is often difficult to know how to break the news. School communities have very active grapevines, and it is better to explain sensitively what has happened rather than saying nothing. When the death affects an individual pupil or family, discuss whether they want to share the news and how. A simple acknowledgement of the death may be necessary, but it is important to take the wishes of the pupil, siblings, and rest of the family into account. 

Being alongside anyone experiencing a loss can be emotionally draining but supporting a bereaved pupil particularly so. The need for support for yourself is not a sign of an inability to cope or of professional incompetence, but a recognition that everyone needs help to carry out this demanding role. 

Adele Partridge will be talking about ways to support school staff when they are faced with pupils and other colleagues who have suffered bereavement during the COVID-19 epidemic.  Grief associated with loss of life to others may affect teachers and pupils in your school and preplanning for this scenario is key to coping with the inevitable, whilst not overstepping your professional boundaries.