More on Publications & Resources

 

‘50 ways forest and outdoor learning experiences benefit child development’  We all know how important it is for children to spend time outdoors. But sometimes it can be difficult to peel them away from indoor comforts and digital devices. That’s why it’s useful to have a bank of ideas you can use to get your little ones excited about heading outdoors and interacting with Mother Nature. From building bird feeders to creating their very own obstacle courses, the fun learning opportunities are endless. Whether at school or in their personal time, having the opportunity to explore the natural world helps them to develop skills that will support them in all aspects of their lives. This guide produced by Forest Holidays explores 50 different ways they can interact with nature to hone these crucial skills, and start forming a more intricate relationship with the natural world.


'Supporting Students with Mental Health Issues' - this guide offers:

  • A useful overview of ways to support students with mental health issues; full of practical advice, tips, and information. 
  • Brief background and context of mental health problems in education – with key stats showing that 1 in 10 students have a diagnosable mental health condition; roughly translating as three students in every classroom. 
  • Information to help identify students with mental health problems, academic provisions that can be made, how to empower students, and how to make a positive learning environment.Links to other useful and relevant mental health support websites and resources for students, teachers, and counsellors.

 https://www.mytutor.co.uk/schoolsblog/2017/07/21/student-mental-health-problems/


 

How to tell if Social Media is Harming your Mental Health

Unhealthy social media usage may cause mental health damage. Before any worse things happen, it’s best to determine effective ways to prevent them. 

 https://www.zocdoc.com/blog/how-to-tell-if-social-media-is-harming-your-mental-health/


FutureLearn provide youth mental health courses to explore and understand the mental health issues that affect young people. Their ‘Young People and Their Mental Health’ course has been created for young people aged over 14 wanting to know more about mental health. It might also be of interest to parents, caregivers, teachers and medical professionals.

 https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/young-people-mental-health


 

OUR 'How to be a Peaceful School' BOOK - Practical Ideas, Stories and Inspiration,published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers (JKP) April 2018. Buy through JKP or Amazon. How to be a Peaceful School


Peace Week supports teachers to run whole school ‘off-timetable’ projects. It contains everything you need to organise inspirational primary/secondary peace and human rights weeks. ' The best thing we’ve ever done as a whole school community', Our Lady’s Catholic Primary School. Peace Week can be purchased from the Quaker Centre http://bookshop.quaker.org.uk £10 (plus p&p): 0207 663 1030/1031 – for discount on bulk orders talk to book shop management or email: jamesn@quaker.org.uk OR Free download available here: www.quaker.org.uk/resources/free-resources/peace-week-resources


21 September every year is the United National International Peace Day. Peace Day provides a globally shared date for all humanity to commit to Peace above all differences and to contribute to building a culture of peace. We are encourage all schools in the UK to do something special on Peace Day.  Sue Webb ( a Headteacher of a Beacon Peaceful School) shares her Peace Assembly for you to use on that day. Download it from here. Peace Assembly Power Point


'The Day After Peace' film - Jeremy Gilley is an extraordinary person committed to making the world more peaceful and his film, 'The Day After Peace' is just breathtakingly inspiring. Show it to everyone you know, especially young people! The Day After PeaceThe film charts Gilley's extraordinary 10-year journey to establish the International Peace Day on 21 September (every year), and shows how the Day is being used around the world to save lives. The film's breathtaking conclusion finds Jeremy joined by Jude Law in Afghanistan, attempting to spearhead a massive vaccination against polio on Peace Day. The Day After Peace is produced in association with the BBC and Passion Pictures.


Connecting Classrooms through Global Learning - the UK Government is funding a global learning programme called Connecting Classrooms through Global Learning, delivered by British Council. This is part of an initiative that introduces the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals, also known as the Global Goals, to students and teachers in the UK and around the world. The programme aims to help pupils to understand the big issues that shape our world and equip them with the knowledge, skills and attitudes they need to make a positive contribution. Through Connecting Classrooms, educators can partner with other schools around the world, find resources and CPD training, and apply for funding to explore global issues with a partner school.

 


The West Midlands Peace Education Project , known as ‘Peacemakers’ support schools to be safer, more peaceful places for everyone. Their excellent new resource ‘Learning for Peace’ is designed to support Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural (SMSC) development in schools. It is packed full of activities, games, approaches and classroom and whole school techniques for primary schools. A very practical resource for schools. The book is further supported by a website with resources to download. To purchase a copy: www.peacemakers.org.uk


A wonderful, inspiring idea! http://www.filmsforaction.org/…/peace-code-in-the-human-br…/


Teach Children Meditation - Lorraine Murray has been teaching and researching how to teach children meditation since 2003. She teaches people to teach mediation to children through her 'Connected Kids' programme. www.teachchildrenmeditation.com Lorraine Murray has written two books: 'Calm Kids' – help children relax with mindful activities. (This book has sold more than 12,000 copies internationally and is a must-read for those interested in teaching children to teens how to relax with meditation and mindfulness.) 'Connected Kids' - this book was launched as an ebook and is due out as a paperback. It is for those who work with, or have, children experiencing special needs, ADHD or Autism and who would benefit from learning meditation.


The Dalai Lama is very, very keen on peace through schools - Leon Stuparich (film maker who made the 'Road to Peace' film) asked the Dalai Lama for a peace message for young people: The Dalai Lama's Message for The Youth


Dr Neil Hawkes has written a wonderful book about Values-Based Education which is a whole-school way of creating a peaceful school: 'From My Heart - Transforming Lives Through Values'. Every single teacher in the world would get so much out of reading this very accessible and uplifting book. Published by the Independent Thinking Press. http://www.valuesbasededucation.com


‘The Practical Well-being Programme’ book and CD by Penny Moon founder of 'A Quiet Place' is a fantastic resource for developing emotional intelligence for all schools. The book introduces readers to the underlying principles and approaches associated with a holistic approach to well-being in educational and other social contexts’. To do so, Penny draws on the principles of the very successful 'A Quiet Place' programme – a ‘within schools’ programme of support for all pupils. http://aquietplace.co.uk


Facing History and Ourselves is a leader in history and civic education. They provide great training for teachers, books and resources that engage with students on historical and more recent events and issues and they focus on how individual choices and behaviours play a critical role in shaping society. https://www.facinghistory.org


Military involvement in schools - a concern for many. Owen Everett is the Education Campaign Worker at ForcesWatch. His role is to monitor armed forces visits to schools, the Department for Education's Military Ethos in Schools programme, and other ways in which the military influences primary, secondary, and tertiary education in the UK, and question whose best interests all this is in. Considering that recruitment into the armed forces is a major driver of armed forces visits to schools, and certainly a factor in the other initiatives, and considering that the youngest, most disadvantaged recruits are most at risk of being killed and of suffering mental health problems (amongst other things), there are serious concerns. www.forceswatch.net/projects/details?quicktabs_3=2#quicktabs-


PeaceJam UK is part of an international youth movement led by Nobel Peace Prize winners! PeaceJam inspires young people and gives them skills to: • become a new generation of peacemakers • transform themselves, their local communities and the world.• be active global citizens • choose non-violent solutions to their problems. http://www.peacejam.org.uk


Sir Ken Robinson - ' Bring on the learning revolution!' This is an inspiring talk about the need for education to engage with our children's spirit! http://www.ted.com/talks/sir_ken_robinson_bring_on_the_revolution.html


'Peace Mala' is a creative and vibrant inter-faith initiative designed around a rainbow bracelet aimed very much at schools, but spreading also to the community and youth groups. It was started by Pam Evans, an R.E. secondary school teacher in Wales in response to the bullying of some of her pupils by other pupils, after the destruction of the Twin Towers in New York by terrorists on 11 September 2001. One of the key messages of the Peace Mala is that religions have the same basic message which is called the Golden Rule: 'Treat others as you would wish to be treated!' Schools can apply for Peace Mala Accreditation and schools who achieve it can also apply for the 'Beacon Peaceful Schools Award'. www.peacemala.org.uk


West Midlands Quaker Peace Education Project aka 'Peacemakers' based in Birmingham. Young people are particularly vulnerable to media images of violence both fictional and actual. This project tries to ensure that bullying and other types of conflict do not escalate. They offer experiential workshops to develop the skills of anger management, affirmation, communication, co-operation, conflict resolution and problem solving as well as raising self-esteem. The project has found that support for conflict resolution and peer mediation inside the classroom has made schools a more secure environment where children can concentrate on learning. www.peacemakers.org.uk


Learning Through Landscapes - peaceful outdoor places are vital for children's well-bing. Learning through Landscape are an organisation for anyone who shares a passion for creating stimulating as well as peaceful/calm outdoor learning and play experiences for children and young people. Learning through Landscapes helps children to connect with nature, become more active, learn outdoors, develop social skills and have fun. http://www.ltl.org.uk/about/index.php


Emoto´s Peace Project was declared by Dr. Emoto when he was giving a seminar at 'The Spiritual Dimensions of Science and Consciousness' Subcommittee at United Nation headquarter in NYC on May 25th, 2005. The Peace project goal is to educate the truth of water to children. By distributing children versions of the “Messages from Water” book or other similar books, children should learn that we reflect our self in water and in our surrounding. An attitude of Love and Gratitude can change us and so the entire world to a sustainable and beautiful place for everybody. It's intended age is from 3 - 12 years old. In another 20 years or so, we hope that they will be leading the earth in a favourable direction. We adults must minimise the damage done to the earth till then. http://www.emoto-peace-project.com/en/world-peace-project/n/

 

Quiet Room Designs - set up by Helen Sanderson as a direct response to a recognised need for design and harmony to be included in corporate prayer rooms. As an artist, designer, interfaith minister and therapist she recognised the value of providing a special place to retreat that would facilitate the journey into prayer, contemplation or mediation. In our highly commercialised, stimulating and demanding culture, the senses are bombarded with data to process. Internally our systems are craving peace and calm. A specially designed environment can sooth and re-centre our sense of wellbeing. www.quietrooms.co.uk


The Quakers' children and young people’s programme - look on their website to find out what they do. They have materials about young people and spirituality and a ‘Spiritual Development’ a booklet for training youth workers. www.quaker.org.uk/cyp


Quiet Circle Time - Jenny Mosley, Quiet Circle Time (QCT), has created successful classroom management modules over the past eighteen years and is the author and co-author of many uplifting texts, including the best-selling ‘Turn Your School Round’, ‘Quality Circle Time (QCT) in the Primary Classroom’ and ‘More Quality Circle Time’. Jenny’s aim is to enhance self-esteem by building positive relationships in school communities. QCT takes a democratic and creative approach to support teachers and other professionals in managing a range of issues that affect everyone in the whole learning community: teaching staff, children, support staff, parents and governors. Jenny's five-step Quality Circle Time model is designed to help pupils meet up, enjoy each other's company, practice social skills, speaking, listening and problem-solving. Step 4 of the model is always a 'cheering up' activity, like celebrating each other's achievements and Step 5 of the model is always a calming activity. Here Jenny uses calm breathing techniques, visualisations or any other 'stilling' activities that help to calm children down after their circle time session and to help prepare them for whatever their next activity is. Jenny writes her own guided visualisations and also has a catalogue of resources and this includes nature CDs and rainsticks for calming times. www.circle-time.co.uk/site/home


Byoma Kusuma Buddhadharma Sangha - this an organisation that uses Vippassana as a meditation. Its insight and calm-abiding techniques are used to help children become mindful, aware and relaxed in the mind. Since children are more susceptible to learning things, Vipassana by itself can be used to help children become aware of their feelings - both emotional and physical. www.byomakusuma.org


Christian Youth Outreach - this is a youth and schools ministry serving schools and churches in the Colchester area. They have developed the Sanctum project which they take into schools to help children experience being spiritual. This organisation believes that every young person is created in the image of God and that everyone is special and unique. The organisation works with schools, churches and local communities with the aim of helping young people to make the most out of their lives and giving them opportunities to explore the Christian faith themselves. www.cyocolchester.org.uk/work.htm


The Ringsfield Hall Trust - this is an ecostudy centre opened in 1972 as a centre for school children from city areas to spend time experiencing and studying the countryside was well as for youth groups, churches and families to use the facilities for group retreats, conferences and holidays during weekends and school holidays for day events. www.ringsfield-hall.co.uk/about_us.htm


Changing Attitudes, Changing Lives - Altered Attitudes Ltd is a ground-breaking training and consultancy company providing educational packages for young people with behavioural and emotional difficulties and professionals working with them. http://www.alteredattitudesltd.com Their unique programmes address social skills and behavioural difficulties in an easy to understand, flexible, engaging style. They are ideal for anyone who has regular contact with children, both male and female, including youth offending service teams, schools and colleges, children’s homes, charities, the scouting and guiding movements and youth groups. Altered Attitudes Ltd anger management package, "Kool It!" has been an instant success with both young people and practitioners. ‘I’ve done loads of anger management stuff in the past which my parents paid privately for and none of it worked. I can’t believe how much I’ve learnt from doing ‘Kool It!’’– James Following the success of the "Kool It!" programme , Altered Attitudes Ltd have gone on to create an anger management programme specifically designed for children aged between 6 and 11, called "Kool It! Junior". It is the first of many innovative programmes designed to deal with a wide range of subjects affecting young people, their families and peers.


Working With Others - this is a programme that realises that learning takes place in a social context where positive pupil relationships are essential. The programme is aimed to motivate pupils to learn effectively together, and this improves behavior in class, playground and socially. It also aims to transform whole staff teams including senior management, office staff and teachers, re-energising as well as offering support and practical ideas. www.workingwithothers.org


Godly Play is a creative and imaginative approach to Christian nurture. It can be used in a variety of settings such as churches, schools, hospitals, and care homes for the elderly. It also invites listeners into stories and encourages them to connect the stories with personal experience. www.godlyplay.org.uk


Seeds of Hope Children’s Garden - this is at Guildford Cathedral and it provides a vibrant living space for children to go to and reflect on their thoughts for those that have experienced loss. They can go there with their families, teachers and carers. The loss could be death, divorce, separate schooling or adoption. Here children can find different gardens for each season where they are able to explore their feelings and shape their thoughts creatively. Guildford Cathedral, Stag Hill, Guildford, Surrey GU2 7UP. www.seedsofhopechildrensgarden.co.uk


The Association for Children’s Spirituality - seeks to support and promote research and practice in relation to children’s spirituality within education and wider contexts. The association understands spirituality and encourages holistic approaches, paying particular attention to children’s voices allowing them to develop their own awareness’s and spirituality. www.childrenspirituality.org


The Quiet Garden Movement - this is an organisation seeking to initiate and resource local opportunities for stillness, silence, reflection and the appreciation of beauty. It draws upon the Christian contemplative tradition. Venues include gardens in private homes, churches, schools, prisons and hospitals. www.quietgarden.co.uk


Spirituality For Kids - Spirituality For Kids (SPK) is an educational curriculum which is based on the idea of sharing cause and effect and the universal human truths, as well as helping children to find their own individual voice and human spirit, regardless of personal faith. An educational non-profit organisation that comes together with partners, educators, schools and organisations to teach tools to assist children in making choices to benefit their future. They work in schools mainly in the London area. www.sfk.org


Heal Your Space - Stella Von Thun - works with children and schools to create a peaceful environment. A Certified Healing practitioner, Stella is impressed by the rapid and positive results healing can achieve. Healing works in all sorts of different forms and two aspects works with are colour healing and flower essences in order to help children feel reassured and gain perspective. Stella works with children in schools to bring reassurance and peace into their lives www.heal-your-space.com


The Restorative Classroom – publication by Belinda Hopkins. Restorative approaches are about more than just repairing relationships when things go wrong, they are also about making and maintaining relationships and they inform a style of teaching just as much as they do an approach to problem solving and conflict resolution. By giving everyone a voice, considering everyone’s thoughts, feelings and needs and believing in people’s ability to find solutions to their own problems by working together, young people will develop the language and skills they need to properly engage with their peers.

The Restorative Classroom invites classroom teachers and teaching assistants to reflect on themselves, on their role, their purpose and their intention in the classroom and on their current style of engagement with their students. It combines a focus on the making, maintaining and repairing of relationships in the classroom with the development of social responsibility and a mutually supportive learning community in that classroom. www.transformingconflict.org


Art for the Sky - do you have a problem with bullying, harassment or intimation at your school? If so, Art For the Sky works like nothing else!! "Art For the Sky was the most magnificent thing I've experienced in my entire career as a principal." -Jennifer Teague, Doak Elementary, Greeneville Tennessee. Calling all visionary principals, art teachers and PTO leaders: You have consistently been the people who have mentored Art For the Sky in communities across the country and around the world. This school-wide, team-building, experiential, 4-day artist in residency program has served over 100,000 students in over 100 schools in 20 states and 7 countries.

Art For the Sky, with its Six Teachings is a life-changing program that can be tailored to address the needs and interests of your school. The joy and teachings built in to these magnificent living paintings made of students and staff (and various materials) filmed from a crane, build a sense of connection and community within your school that is palpable. Each participant is an equal part of something rare, magnificent and beautiful and when they experience their collaborative efforts portrayed in the final project film that is presented on the last day . . . well, you just have to be there to experience the magic that happens! This powerful team experience helps dissolve the sense of separation and isolation so common in schools which is the major cause of bullying and harassment . . . not to mention most of the wars in the world! Sky art creates a lasting sense of harmony and common purpose uncommon in life today and, since these images only make sense from the sky, they teach everyone to awaken what I call their "skysight", the ability to comprehend the elusive Big Picture which is where our highest creativity and understanding resides. Via consistent media coverage, these unique and colorful events also give the school exceptional positive publicity. 1200 students and teachers form a coral reef in the Dominican Republic. See the film: http://vimeo.com/18996899