Understanding Anxiety at School: From Personal Experience to Practical Pupil Support

An increasing number of children face feelings of anxiety and isolation, negatively impacting their mental health and wellbeing, as well as their attainment in school. Having battled social anxiety herself, Rachel Thynne knows first-hand how hard it can be to be misunderstood and receive little help. By understanding the communicative function of behaviours and seeing the person behind their actions, staff can learn to support and nurture pupils with consistency, empathy and positivity.

This book explores anxiety in children and young people, unpicking social anxiety, situational mutism, school anxiety and separation anxiety within a school context, and shining a light on the importance of relationships, effective communication and self-regulation skills. A wealth of strength-based strategies are provided that can be implemented quickly and easily by busy school staff to alleviate anxiety, build self-esteem and increase feelings of safety and belonging. The book also supports sensitive and collaborative work with caregivers to achieve the biggest impact and includes real-life examples, case-studies and reflective opportunities to bring theory to life.

Little adjustments can make a huge difference and have a positive, lifelong effect on the individual but also on the other pupils. Advocating for whole school approaches to create a culture where all pupils can thrive, Understanding Anxiety at School will enable school staff, including teachers and special educational needs co-ordinators (SENCOs), to recognise signs of anxiety and to provide support empathetically and compassionately.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements

Foreword

Introduction

1. What is Anxiety?
2. Safety, Relationships and Communication

Safety, Relationships and Communication Checklist

3. Alleviating Anxiety

Alleviating Anxiety Checklist

4. Regulating and Coping Strategies

Regulating and Coping Strategies Checklist

5. Social Anxiety

6. Alleviating Social Anxiety

Alleviating Social Anxiety Checklist

7. Situational Mutism

8. Alleviating Situational Mutism

Alleviating Situational Mutism Checklist

9. School-Based Anxiety

10. Alleviating School-Based Anxiety

Alleviating School-Based Anxiety Checklist

11. Separation Anxiety

12. Alleviating Separation Anxiety

Alleviating Separation Anxiety Checklist

13. Whole School Approaches

Whole School Approaches Checklist

Index