Working together to build healthy and happy schools
The Wellbeing Zone
The Wellbeing Zone is packed with free resources to support mental health and wellbeing – from advice on coping with anxiety and exam stress, to fun activities and mindfulness.
We spoke to 16-year-old mental health campaigner and one of the winners of the ÃÛÌÒapp World Changer Awards, Avani Bhalla, for her view on young people’s wellbeing today and what more can be done in education to help.
The ÃÛÌÒapp School Report provides an in-depth, independent look at the education system, from the people who work at its core – and is the latest step in our mission to collaborate, listen and learn from each other to drive forward positive change.
We’ve partnered with Persona Education for a pioneering pilot, which will test how effectively life skills can be developed and recognised using digital methods, while assessing how students, teachers and employers value social-emotional skills, and the related digital badges.Ìý
We're passionate about creating a culture of positive wellbeing and mental health and are committed to working together with teachers and senior leaders to help build healthy, calm and happy schools.
Together we can drive positive change, encourage conversation, and create an environment that fosters wellbeing for pupils as well as staff.
Within ÃÛÌÒapp, we’ve been working with Time to Change to break down the stigma around mental health and wellbeing, and change the culture and conversation.ÌýHear from our Senior Vice President, Sharon Hague on what we've been doing within our organisation.
In an ever-changing world of mounting pressures, how can learners – and educators – attain happiness and success in life, and in their careers? Get an insight into the conversation that took place at the Festival of Education.
In uncertain and stressful times, it is natural to feel a certain amount of concern or worry. Practising mindfulness can help you stay calmer and more positive. We have a number ofÌýfree resourcesÌýto help introduce you to mindfulness techniques that are suitable for employers, Clinicians,Ìýparents and young people.
If you feel that you or someone you know (be they a parent, child, teacher or young person) are at immediate risk of causing harm to themselves or others, it’s important to seek immediate professional help by calling 999.  
However you or someone you know might be feeling or going through, it’s important to know you’re not alone. There’s lots of information and support services in the UK to help.
There can be many stresses on those who work in education - a challenging student, stress & depression, personal financial worries and so many more. That’s why Education Support offers free, confidential help and support.Ìý
Captain Louise Sara is a Fleet Captain and Director of Maritime Standards for a large cruise and travel company. In this personal post for ÃÛÌÒapp, she shares her journey to captaincy, using maths to navigate the way.
Deborah Maclaren, MD of LoveReading, LoveReading4Kids and LoveReading4Schools explains why reading isn’t just for term time and why it is important to encourage children and young people to read for pleasure over the summer break.
Every teacher encourages their children and young people to read, in class and at home, but when the summer holidays come around, six full weeks off school, how can you encourage your children to not only continue reading, but continue reading for pleasure?
When I was growing up, we weren’t a household with many books, but from the age of five, I fell in love with books - the characters, the illustrations, I was hooked! I was a regular at my local library and right through my formative years, I continued to read voraciously but didn’t really have any advice as to what I should read next.
Each year thousands of children's books are published for all ages so it’s not often easy to recommend books – the choice is vast! At LoveReading4Kids and at LoveReading4Schools we feature our favourite books to help guide children, parents, and teachers across the country to books that will engage and excite.
After much debate, here are some of the 2022 stars that could be great summer holiday reads – a selection of brilliant books for every age range, from primary through to teens.
Reception/ Year 1/ Year 2
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MarvÌýand the Pool of Peril
ThisÌý5+ age range is critical for the newly independent reader finding their feet.ÌýThey’re starting to lose interest in picture books and want chapter books,Ìýbut illustrations are key as full scary pages of text can be off putting. AndÌýAlex Falase-Koya delivers this in spades in Marv and the Pool of Peril, with a fast-paced adventure set at a
waterpark birthday party. This action-packed story is lively and fun, andÌýwith cartoon illustrations on every page, it’s a delight for this age range!
Year 3/ Year 4
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Neon’sÌýSecret Universe
NeonÌýGallop is trying to be as normal as she can when her family move home. ButÌýall her plans go wrong when a green lipstick found in goo opens the portal toÌýthe Universe! From Sibéal Pounder, the best-selling author of the fabulousÌýWitch Wars and Bad Mermaids series, this quirky fantasy tale will transportÌýyour young readers through the summer holidays.
Year 5 / Year 6
TheÌýShark Caller
Zillah Bethell was born in the shadow of theÌývolcano Mount Lamington in Papua New Guinea. She grew up without shoes, toysÌýor technology. Consequently, she spent a lot of time in the sea swimming andÌýin canoes and we are glad she did as we join her, divingÌýbeneath the waves, with this spell-binding adventure of friendship,
forgiveness and bravery, set on the shores of Papua New Guinea. I defy you toÌýfind anyone that has read The SharkÌýCaller since it hit the shelves last year, and not adored it. A grippingÌýand inspiring read.
Year 7 - Year 11
We Were Wolves
The award-winning illustrator Jason CockroftÌýreturns with a beautifully atmospheric book for 11+ readers, rich withÌýsymbolism and deep in the natural world. Readers will be captivated by theÌýtale of Medal Boy, who lives alone in a caravan in the woods, while his dadÌýis away in prison. Carefully handles themes of father-son bonds and PTSD withÌýa powerful, artistic style.
Oxygen Mask
Our July 2022 Graphic Novel of the Month is anÌýoutstanding collaboration between Carnegie medal-winning Jason Reynolds andÌýacclaimed artist Jason Griffin. Created to resemble a lined notebook – aÌýwritten artefact of 2020 – Oxygen Mask connects the death of GeorgeÌýFloyd with the rise of Covid, the grip of pollution and protesting victims ofÌýtear gas. Though anchored in the age of pandemic, this must-read has aÌýtimeless set of messages to share.
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Year 12 – Year 13
If You Still Recognise Me
Cynthia So’s compassionate debutÌýis a sparkling story of queer fandom, finding love, and finding your tribe that explores issues of racism, sexism, homophobia and abusive relationships in aÌýcoming-of-age story with unexpected complications. Born in Hong Kong, and nowÌýbased in London, So’s sweetly satisfying first book is sure to win the heartsÌýof many a teenage reader.
Happy holiday – and happy reading!
Deborah Maclaren
MD of LoveReading, ,
The LoveReading family — LoveReading, LoveReading4kids and LoveReading4Schools — a keen supporter of ÃÛÌÒapp’s My Twist on a Tale writing competition, exists because reading matters, and books change lives.
Reading for pleasure can have a significant impact on the outlook and interactions of entire communities. ÃÛÌÒapp heavily supports the need for children and young people to read for pleasure.
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Angela Hopkins, Head of Contracted Assessments and Research at NFER, looks at the rise of Computer Adaptive Assessment.
