Supporting children and teachers with the return to school

As children and young people prepare to return to school across the country, for many it is an exciting and positive experience. However for some for others it will mean returning to an environment that they can find stressful.

Educational psychologists from the British Psychological Society (BPS) have advocated for a phased return to regular schooling, combined with a quality-over-quantity approach to key learning and avoiding the narrative that children need to ‘catch up’ on ‘lost learning’. The focus needs to be on the wellbeing and educational needs of children, and teachers, rather than filling their time with extra hours of lessons.

Dr Melernie Meheux, co-chair of the BPS Division of Educational and Child Psychology said: “For many children and young people returning to school is incredibly exciting and welcome. However for some it can be an anxious time, particularly with talk of extra lessons and summer schools. The wellbeing and educational needs of children and young people needs to be the priority so that they can reconnect with peers, build upon their strengths and continue their key learning moving forward.

“We know as well that this can be a worrying and stressful time for parents and carers, and also teachers which is why we have created a range of guidance to support all to welcome children back to school with a positive outcome for all.”

Highly experienced BPS chartered educational and child psychologists are available for media interviews to share their expertise and advice on how to support children returning to school and teacher wellbeing. The BPS has created a package of expert psychological advice and resources to help parents, carers, teachers and professionals support children and young people as they go back into the classroom.