What Helps Us Get Back to School?
This summary shares what some young people said helped them return to school after being away for a while. We hope this helps other children, families, and school staff understand what can make going back to school easier.
Things That Helped
Having a safe and quiet place to learn, like a Study Centre.
Having a routine – it helped with feeling better and more organised.
Learning things that felt useful and interesting.
Feeling listened to – being asked what we think and what we need.
Good communication between school and home.
Time to take a break and come back slowly.
Support from family and friends.
Friendly teachers and staff who understand.
Being able to do some schoolwork from home.
Having meetings where we could share our thoughts.
Things That Made It Hard
Feeling pressure to go back before we were ready.
Worrying about what others (teachers or classmates) might think.
Problems with technology – like forgetting passwords.
Not being asked how we learn best.
Advice from Young People
“Talk to pupils and see where you can go from there.”
“Don’t pressure students with things they aren’t comfortable with.”
“Having a routine was better for my mental health.”
“School staff should follow pupils’ lead.”
“Listen to them (pupils); don’t lie.”
“Talk to your parents, teacher, or anyone who wants to help you get back into school.”
“Take it at your own pace. At least you can say you tried.”
“If something isn’t right, speak up and tell a teacher.”
