Coping with Bereavement

This programme offers valuable lessons and practical advice to schools dealing with bereavement.

Six children at Heron Primary School were bereaved when their parents died during the school holidays. Headteacher, John Coles, faced a significant challenge in helping his pupils cope with the loss. With the help of Julie Stokes of bereavement charity, Winston's Wish, he and his staff have effectively supported the pupils through and beyond the tragedy.

At Cleeve School, two teenagers died suddenly in consecutive terms. Deputy head, Leanne Symonds, shares her valuable experience and practical response in handling the deaths which affected the whole school community.

The school has also helped a pupil bereaved in primary school, by setting up a buddy system which put her in touch with an older pupil who had also been bereaved.