Bereavement Training for Schools
How staff can support grieving pupils with confidence and clarity
Grief walks into school in uniform. It sits in the classroom, stands in the corridor, and lines up for lunch. When a child is grieving, their school day becomes a series of emotional tests. For staff, it can feel like there is no clear right thing to say or do.
Bereavement training for schools exists to change that. It gives teachers and support staff a shared understanding of child grief, practical tools for the classroom, and clear boundaries so no one feels out of their depth. It also shows schools where specialist child bereavement training, such as Child Grief Coach Training with The STILL Method, fits into the wider picture.
Why schools need bereavement training
Children spend a large part of their life in school. When a loss happens, staff are often the first adults outside the family to notice the change. Without training, grief can be mistaken for laziness, defiance, or disinterest. A child who is struggling to concentrate or attend may end up on a behaviour plan rather than a support plan.
Good bereavement training helps school teams
understand what grief looks like at different ages
recognise when behaviour is actually distress
respond in ways that lower fear rather than amplify it
hold realistic expectations around attendance and work
know when to bring in specialist support
Schools that take bereavement seriously do not only offer kindness. They create a predictable, emotionally safe environment that helps children stay connected to learning while they grieve.
What effective bereavement training covers
High quality bereavement training for schools goes beyond a short talk about loss. It builds a shared language and a shared response. Effective training includes
how grief presents in early years, primary, and secondary
the link between bereavement, anxiety, and emotional overload
how grief can affect focus, memory, and behaviour
why some children become very quiet while others act out
how to talk about death in clear age appropriate language
common myths that increase pressure on pupils and staff
simple regulation tools that can be used in the classroom
guidance on attendance, uniform, homework, and exams
when to involve pastoral staff, educational psychology, or specialist services
A good session leaves staff with both understanding and very practical ideas for what to do tomorrow.
The role of the child grief coach in a school setting
Bereavement aware staff are the foundation. In some situations, children also need structured, ongoing support. This is where a trained child grief coach can play a vital role alongside school staff.
A child grief coach
offers focused support sessions for grieving pupils
uses STILL Method tools to build emotional safety and regulation
helps the child understand their reactions without shame
guides them through simple reflective activities
works closely with parents and key staff
delivers a structured six week child grief support programme where appropriate
Bereavement training helps staff recognise which pupils will benefit from this level of structured support and how to collaborate with the coach.
Building a whole school approach
One person who understands grief will make a difference. A whole school that understands grief will transform the experience of bereaved pupils.
A whole school approach to bereavement might include
a simple bereavement policy written in plain language
training for all staff, including support and office teams
clear guidance for supply teachers and visitors
a gentle process for sharing news with classes
agreed adjustments to uniform, homework, and attendance after a loss
regular reminders to staff about language and expectations
links with external grief services and trained child grief coaches
When everyone understands the plan, pupils do not have to keep retelling their story or educating adults about their pain.
Classroom tools that make an immediate difference
Bereavement training should leave teachers with small, realistic tools they can use in any lesson. Examples include
a predictable start and end to each lesson, so the pupil knows what is coming
a quiet cue the pupil can use if they need a short break
a choice of where to sit on difficult days
agreement about what to do if a topic or activity feels too close to home
brief regulation practices at the start of the day or after lunch
check in points that are regular but not intrusive
None of these remove grief. They soften the edges of the school day so the child can stay connected to learning without being pushed beyond their emotional capacity.
When schools need deeper child bereavement training
General bereavement training equips staff to respond with sensitivity and consistency. Some schools and settings also need a specialist member of staff or an external professional who can offer structured grief support.
Child Grief Coach Training with The STILL Method provides that deeper path. It gives professionals the knowledge, tools, and full six week framework needed to support grieving children in a more focused way. Graduates can work alongside school staff to offer individual or small group sessions while keeping the child within the familiar safety of their school environment.
Safeguarding and limits
Any bereavement work with children must sit within clear safeguarding boundaries. Staff need to know
what to do if a pupil discloses risk
how to record and share concerns
how to respect family beliefs and cultural practices
where the limits of their role end
how to access specialist services when needed
Bereavement training should never make staff feel they are expected to act as therapists. Instead, it should clarify how to offer safe, human responses within their role and when to seek further help.
How schools can start
Schools that want to strengthen their bereavement response can
review current practice and gaps
provide whole staff bereavement awareness training
identify staff who may wish to train further as child grief coaches
create or update a bereavement policy that reflects real practice
build simple links with external grief specialists and services
Over time this creates a culture in which pupils who experience loss are met with understanding rather than confusion.
Next steps
If your school or setting is ready to strengthen its approach to child bereavement, start with staff training that builds shared understanding and practical tools. When you are ready to develop deeper in house expertise, explore Child Grief Coach Training with The STILL Method as a route to having a trained specialist who can offer structured grief support to pupils.
