For this first year of provision, the Claires Court Parent Teacher Association have supported the school’s pastoral teams through the provision of this fabulous service for parents, teachers and schools.

Creating great conversations at home is really important, but all too often making sure that parents have the true facts available with which to engage their children is not that easy. This Wednesday’s Times newspaper ran a headline “In school and on medication — the truth about ADHD in children“. ADHD specialist Elizabeth Swann reported to SchoolTV that 60% of all readily available information on the Internet via search engine is completely wrong AND that the term ADHD is the 7th most searched for abbreviation via Google IN THE WORLD!

Finding a trusted news source is really important, indeed a byline of the BBC advertising for their News service itself, but in terms of children’ focussed information, having a central content resource is really important – hence the PTA support for the provision of the SchoolTV service for Claires Court.

I’ve 3 items from our SchoolTV service for your consideration: SchoolTV’s take on NeuroDiversity if that’s of interest to you, leading on from the Times headlines from Wednesday. Neurodiversity in children and adolescents is a concept celebrating the natural variation in how young minds work. It acknowledges that neurological differences, such as ADHD, autism, dyslexia, and giftedness, are not disabilities but unique aspects of human cognition, and we are so much better treating them as such rather than labels/badges to wear.

With major conflicts taking place in Ukraine and Gaza, it’s no surprise our children want to talk these through, even perhaps want to know what they can do to help and how; children can often encounter distressing images and stories of war and conflict through the 24-hour news cycle and social media. These experiences can provoke anxiety and fear in young minds whose worldviews are still forming. Traumatic events imprint strong emotional memories that can influence a child’s behaviour and perception of danger. SchoolTV have produced an excellent SPECIAL REPORT: Discussing War & Conflict , in which Dr Emma Woodward FRSA, Child Psychologist and TEDx Speaker gives you an insight on how children’s healthy brains react to distressing images and how parents can handle those difficult questions that might arise.

And finally, I point you at This month on SchoolTV – Respectful Relationships

Fostering a nurturing environment of respectful relationships within your family holds the key to not only harmonious living, but also improved academic outcomes for your children. As parents, guardians and caregivers, embracing the art of teaching children about respect at a young age sets the stage for a lifetime of healthy interactions and empathetic understanding. It will help cultivate a positive environment where communication flourishes, conflicts are resolved constructively, and bonds are fortified. Claires Court tries incredibly hard, and has an outstanding long-term reputation for care and consideration, indeed its core values include at their heart, Respect, but we certainly need every ounce of help with this that homes can bring.

Teaching children to respect themselves and others will open up avenues for both personal growth and academic achievement. Fostering an environment where respect is not just a word, but a practiced behaviour, will empower young people with essential life skills. Effective communication, active listening, and the art of compromise, will provide your child with a solid foundation that will transcend family interactions and help them collaborate effectively with peers, teachers and the broader community.

Equipping children with an understanding of healthy versus unhealthy relationships is an important aspect of their development. It will guide them to make informed choices, foster positive connections, and set boundaries that contribute to their emotional wellbeing. Understanding the nuances between healthy and unhealthy relationships provides children with the essential tools to navigate their social world, build self-esteem, and cultivate meaningful relationships.

In this edition of SchoolTV, learn how to empower young people in healthy interactions to embrace differences and forge connections that honour their self-worth. We hope you take time to reflect on the information offered in this month’s edition, and we always welcome your feedback. If you do have any concerns about the wellbeing of your child, please contact the school for further information or seek medical or professional help.

Here is the link to this month’s edition https://clairescourt.uk.schooltv.me/newsletter/respectful-relationships