Student teachers benefit from wellbeing training
Education scholars are working with a leading charity to help student teachers support pupils’ mental health and wellbeing.
Moray House School of Education and Sport (MHSES), and children’s mental health charity Place2Be launched the partnership at an event to discuss the role that reflective spaces can play in Schools.
John Swinney, Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills who attended the launch said the partnership brings mental health support into focus.
I am pleased to see the continuation of this unique partnership between Place2Be and the University of Edinburgh and the financial commitment the university has made to it. It undoubtedly brings great benefit to students taking part, at a time when mental health has become a focus for us all during the pandemic. “The role of the teacher is much broader than it used to be, with a greater likelihood of being required to resolve traumatic experiences and there is a need to consider how best we can support teachers to meet those requirements.
The collaboration will allow all students across all Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programmes at Moray House to engage in additional mental health and wellbeing teaching.
The initiative will give students fresh insights from mental health clinicians to complement the course work taught by their tutors.
Student teachers can access mental health expertise and participate in reflective Place2Think sessions, supporting them to explore the impact teaching may have on their own emotional health and wellbeing.
Edinburgh is the only UK university providing its student teachers with this dynamic resource, which has been launched this term following a two year pilot scheme.
Teaching is an intense relational profession where we have to manage relationships with pupils, parents, and staff. We have to manage our own emotions and interpersonal styles while handling a wide range of difficult situations. ”Place2Be gives me the chance to reflect and ask questions about my practice, rather than burying or ignoring aspects that are difficult. Having access to a reflective therapeutic space allows teachers to thrive in the profession, rather than just survive. It enables us to be the best teachers we can be, and in turn allows us to serve our pupils and our classrooms in the best way possible. Why don’t all teachers have this? It is such a valuable resource.
Teachers across Scotland have talked to us about the need for greater understanding of, and support for, mental health in teaching practice. Now more than ever, it is vital to address this. We are pleased to be able to work in close partnership with University of Edinburgh to help generations of Scottish teachers feel better equipped with the understanding they need to support children’s mental health and their own.
Related Links:
Moray House School of Education and Sport | The University of Edinburgh
[Image credit: via Getty images]