Hello everyone, and welcome to our latest newsletter!

As the autumn term approaches, we know you’re likely balancing the excitement of a fresh start with the demands of preparation. Whether you've spent the summer planning lessons, reflecting on last year, or simply recharging, we hope you’re feeling refreshed and ready to make a meaningful impact on your pupils' lives. A new term is a chance to reignite your passion for teaching and bring renewed energy into the classroom.

In this edition, we’ll be sharing some practical ideas on how to create a classroom environment where everyone feels valued, accepted, and ready to learn. But first, here’s a quick update from us.

A Huge Welcome to Dr Pippa Busch

We are delighted to announce that the fabulous Dr. Pippa Busch is joining our team! Pippa is one of the country’s leading Child & Educational Psychologists. With extensive experience working with teachers and pupils across hundreds of schools, she prides herself on being both evidence-informed and practical. Pippa has a special interest in Autism, nurture, and attachment. You can learn more about her work at www.TheChildPsych.co.uk .

A Busy September Ahead

We have an exciting events calendar lined up for the rest of the year, kicking off with the World Arena Events Education Experts 2024 Conference in Saudi Arabia. Nadim Saad will be speaking, and you can also find him at our booth alongside Danielle Fanton . If you’re attending, be sure to stop by and say hello!

Coming soon . . .

We’ve been hard at work this summer crafting a range of exciting new products and resources for both schools and families. Stay tuned—some amazing things are just around the corner!

Starting the Autumn Term: Fresh Ideas for a Positive Classroom Environment

We know that balancing academic goals with social and emotional needs can sometimes feel challenging, so we've put together some practical, easy-to-implement ideas to help you build a strong, supportive classroom community.

These strategies are easy to incorporate into your day, helping to build a sense of belonging, and connection among pupils. Whether it’s working together on a Classroom Charter or creating a "We Are All Different" wall, these ideas focus on creating a positive and welcoming environment where every child can feel supported and thrive. Let’s dive in . . .

?? Building a Positive Foundation: The Classroom Charter

Starting the school year with a "Classroom Charter" is a fantastic way to set a positive tone from day one. It's not just another task—it's about creating a foundation where everyone feels respected and heard. What makes it really special is that the pupils help create it, so they feel like a real part of the classroom community right from the start.

?? How to Make It Happen:

1. Begin with a class discussion about what makes a great classroom environment. Encourage pupils to share their thoughts on trust, respect, and kindness.
2. Together, draft the charter that includes everyone’s input. This could cover how pupils want to be treated, how they’ll handle disagreements, and what it means to be part of your class.
3. Have everyone (including yourself) sign the contractor/add a thumbprint or make handprints to decorate around it on the wall. This helps give children some ownership of their commitments. Display it in the classroom as a visual reminder of the values you’ve all agreed upon and something you can refer back to throughout the year.

?? Celebrating Individuality: The "We Are All Different" Wall

Creating a "We Are All Different" wall is a simple yet powerful way to celebrate diversity and inclusion in the classroom. This isn’t just about highlighting differences—it’s about helping children appreciate the unique qualities that everyone brings to the classroom community.

??How to Make It Happen:

1. Dedicate a space on one of your classroom walls where pupils can contribute pictures, drawings, or notes that represent something special about themselves. This could be a favourite hobby, a tradition from home, or a unique talent. You could even ask parents or carers to send in pictures of family or ‘important people’ in my life photos and add a map of the world and locate them with string to show where they are from.
2. Encourage pupils to add to the wall whenever they feel inspired. Over time, this space will grow into a rich tapestry of your classroom’s diversity, helping pupils see the value in each other’s experiences.

??Cultivating a Grateful Mindset: The Classroom Gratitude Tree

Gratitude can be a game-changer when it comes to fostering a positive atmosphere in the classroom. A "Gratitude Tree" is an easy way to incorporate this mindset into your daily routine, encouraging pupils to focus on the good things, big or small.

??How to Make It Happen:

1. Decide whether you want to create a physical tree in your classroom or go digital with tools like Padlet or Google Jamboard.
2. Take a few minutes each day or week for pupils to jot down something they’re grateful for and add it to the tree. As time goes on, the tree will fill up with positive thoughts, serving as a visual reminder of all the good things happening in your classroom. At the end of term, you can reinforce these moments of gratitude by reading them out together.

??Fostering Kindness: The Kindness Chain

Imagine a classroom where acts of kindness are so common that they link together to form a chain—literally! The "Kindness Chain" is a simple and visual way to encourage pupils to be kind to one another, with each link representing an act of kindness.

??How to Make It Happen:

1. Provide strips of paper where pupils can write down acts of kindness they’ve performed, witnessed, or received. Whether it’s helping a classmate with homework or offering a kind word, every act counts.
2. Connect these strips to form a growing chain that you can display in the classroom, or all classes could take part and the chains can be hung in a communal space like the school hall. The longer the chain gets, the more your pupils can see the impact of their kindness, helping to create a culture of caring in your classroom or school.

??Empowering Pupils: The Affirmation Station

Starting the day with a positive affirmation can set the tone for everything that follows. An "Affirmation Station" gives pupils the chance to begin each day on a positive note, boosting their confidence and reinforcing the values you want to cultivate in your classroom.

??How to Make It Happen:

1. Work with your pupils to come up with affirmations that resonate with them. This could be something like, "I am capable of great things," or "We support and care for each other."
2. Each morning, choose an affirmation to recite together as a class. Display these affirmations at your station so pupils can refer back to them whenever they need a little boost during the day. You could even add a mirror at the station so children can look at themselves as they read the affirmation which can help internalise the positive message.

We hope these ideas spark some inspiration as you head into the new school year. Building a classroom where every pupil feels they belong is no small task, but with a few thoughtful additions, you can make a big difference. As you bring these strategies to life, know that your efforts are shaping a positive and supportive community for your pupils.

Here’s to a great year ahead, filled with growth, connection, and meaningful learning! Thanks for all you do—your hard work truly makes a difference.

FAQs

How can I get my pupils engaged in creating the Classroom Contract? Make it a collaborative and fun process! When pupils feel like their voices are heard, they’re more likely to be engaged. You could even let them decorate the contract or give it a creative title.

What if a pupil is shy about contributing to the "We Are All Different" wall? Start by sharing something personal about yourself to create a safe space. Encourage pupils to contribute at their own pace and reassure them that every contribution, no matter how small, is valuable.

How often should we update the Gratitude Tree? There’s no set rule—some classrooms do it daily, others weekly. Find a rhythm that works for your class, whether it’s a quick daily reflection or a more in-depth weekly session.

Can the Kindness Chain work in a virtual classroom? Absolutely! You can create a digital version using tools like Google Slides or Padlet, where pupils can add virtual links to the chain. The key is to keep the spirit of kindness alive, whether in person or online.

How do I keep the Affirmation Station fresh and engaging throughout the year? Rotate the affirmations regularly and involve pupils in coming up with new ones. You can also tie them to current lessons or themes to keep them relevant and meaningful.

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