Reimagining Education

Drawing from relational and trauma-informed approaches, Reimagining Education explores ways to design and sustain a successful school system, through the eyes and experiences of children and young people. Chapters consider a range of themes, from mentally healthy schools to attendance and academic pressure, to build the vision of a compassionate school where no child is left behind or excluded. Each topic is introduced through the voices and views of children, who reflect on their experiences and tell us what would make it better and create a sense of belonging for all. These themes are explored alongside key psychological theory, before accessible strategies and recommendations for change are introduced. Centring the views of children and young people, this essential guide focuses on developing an education system fit for the workforce of the future, based on skills, humanity, compassion and citizenship. It will be valuable reading for all teachers, pastoral staff, educational leaders and educational psychologists.

Maddi Popoola is a service manager for the Mental Health Support Team in Nottingham City. She has been working in various roles within education since 2004, including mainstream primary, secondary and alternative provision settings. Maddi qualified as an Educational Psychologist (EP) in 2018 and is the co-founder of a mental health support website, www.NottaAlone.org.uk. Sarah Sivers has worked as a Child, Community and Educational Psychologist for over 11 years and with children and young people with additional needs for over 20 years. She has engaged in pupil views research to explore children and young peoples' views and experiences and to use what they have shared to generate discussions and create change. Louise McDonagh has worked in a range of schools since 2006, including in a role as Vice Principal in an inner-city academy, with responsibility for safeguarding and behaviour. Louise has also been a member of a Mental Health Support Team, leading on whole school approaches to mental health and trauma informed approaches.

1. Staff Well-Being and Mental Health: Putting On Your Oxygen Masks First 2. Fear And Rules: The Views of Children on the State of the Current System 3. Relationships, Relationships, Relationships 4. What Will it Take to Create a Genuine Meaning of The Term 'Mentally Healthy Schools'? 5. Academic Pressure Through the Eyes of Children: What Do They Really Want To Learn? 6. We're in an Attendance Crisis, But What Do Children Out of School Say About Their Experiences In Mainstream Education? Why Would a Child Not Want To Attend School? 7. Attendance, The LA and The Wider System 8. The Covid Legacy: What Has Been Lost, Missed and Gained? 9. What Can We Do Better?...From The Views of Children and School Staff