--- title: 'Supporting your pupils through grief' url: 'https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/challenges/grief-and-loss/supporting-your-pupils-through-grief' markdown: 'https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/challenges/grief-and-loss/supporting-your-pupils-through-grief.md' date: '2026-02-05' description: 'Whether a child in your class is sad, angry, withdrawn, overwhelmed, or appears “absolutely fine”, this guide will help you create safety, communicate with confidence, and understand what grieving pupils truly need at school. What You’ll Learn in This Video Tip 1: How to talk with parents and carers so everyone uses consistent, supportive language Tip 2: Why acknowledging a child’s loss matters — and how to do it simply and gently Tip 3: Using clear, honest, age-appropriate language when discussing death Tip 4: Creating safe spaces in school and identifying a trusted “go-to” adult Tip 5: Understanding behaviour changes linked to grief — and responding with patience Tip 6: Warning signs to look out for that may indicate a child needs extra support Tip 7: Adjusting routines, expectations and transitions to help pupils feel secure Plus: guidance on how to work collaboratively with families and the wider school team. Key Messages for Teachers You don’t need perfect words - simple honesty helps children feel safe Grief can look like sadness, anger, withdrawal or seeming totally unaffected Safe spaces and trusted adults help children regulate emotions Routines and predictability provide grounding during grief Behaviour changes are communication, not misbehaviour You are not expected to “fix” grief - your presence and care matter most' taxonomy: category: - Challenges tag: - 'School Life' - Depression - Grief type: - Video contributor: - 'Samantha Wrightson' - 'Dr Sian Williams' - 'Ronit Knoble' --- # Supporting children through grief: A guide to loss, emotions and healing [ School Life ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:School%20Life) [ Depression ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Depression) [ Grief ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Grief) [ ![Nip in the Bud](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/user/themes/nitb/images/logos/round-logo.png) ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/about-us "About Nip in the Bud") [ ![ChickenShed](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/user/pages/06.about-us/03.partners/chickenshed/chickenshedlogo%20.png) ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/about-us/partners/chickenshed "In Partnership with ChickenShed") ![Dr Sian Williams](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/user/pages/06.about-us/02.authors-and-experts/dr-sian-williams/dr-sian-williams.jpg) Speaker [Dr Sian Williams](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/about-us/authors-and-experts/dr-sian-williams)speaker Duration: 0h 4m 24s Published: November 2025 Produced and Directed by: [Ronit Knoble](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/about-us/authors-and-experts/ronit-knoble) Whether a child in your class is sad, angry, withdrawn, overwhelmed, or appears “absolutely fine”, this guide will help you create safety, communicate with confidence, and understand what grieving pupils truly need at school. ## What You’ll Learn in This Video - Tip 1: How to talk with parents and carers so everyone uses consistent, supportive language - Tip 2: Why acknowledging a child’s loss matters — and how to do it simply and gently - Tip 3: Using clear, honest, age-appropriate language when discussing death - Tip 4: Creating safe spaces in school and identifying a trusted “go-to” adult - Tip 5: Understanding behaviour changes linked to grief — and responding with patience - Tip 6: Warning signs to look out for that may indicate a child needs extra support - Tip 7: Adjusting routines, expectations and transitions to help pupils feel secure Plus: guidance on how to work collaboratively with families and the wider school team. ## Key Messages for Teachers - You don’t need perfect words - simple honesty helps children feel safe - Grief can look like sadness, anger, withdrawal or seeming totally unaffected - Safe spaces and trusted adults help children regulate emotions - Routines and predictability provide grounding during grief - Behaviour changes are communication, not misbehaviour - You are not expected to “fix” grief - your presence and care matter most --- Was this helpful? 0 0 Share: [ Previous Post](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/challenges/grief-and-loss/breast-cancer-awareness-talking-to-children-about-cancer) [Next Post ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/toolkit/home-life/tips-for-parents/supporting-your-child-through-grief) #### Other Related Posts: ![](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/user/pages/03.toolkit/04.school-life/tips-for-teachers/depressive-symptoms-tips-for-teachers/depressive-symptons-in-kids.jpg) ### Video: Depressive Symptoms: Tips for Teachers [Video: Depressive Symptoms: Tips for Teachers](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/toolkit/school-life/tips-for-teachers/depressive-symptoms-tips-for-teachers) Children who have been exposed to a bereavement, parental divorce or separation, moving house and neighbourhood, family ill health, parental mental illness… [ Bullying ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Bullying) [ Anxiety ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Anxiety) [ School Life ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:School%20Life) [ Depression ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Depression) [ Grief ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Grief) [ Trauma ](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/results/tag:Trauma) ![](https://nipinthebud.trilbyhost.com/user/pages/05.mental-health/unsure-about-therapy/mental-health-awarenesss.webp) ### Video: Feeling unsure about therapy? 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