Below are some of the ways that BackPocketTeacher helps schools and other organisations (the list is not exhaustive).
Please contact BackPocketTeacher with any requests.
This new online course gives everyone the opportunity to gain training in how to support the bereavement and grief needs of children with severe, profound and profound and multiple learning disabilities.
This introductory course takes approximately 90 minutes to complete and covers the following areas -
The course is informal, varied and interactive in its delivery - it's made up of videos, audio recordings, visuals, text and activities to help you reflect on your own practice and think about possible changes for the future.
£30 per person
This new online course gives everyone the opportunity to gain training in how to support bereaved and grieving children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities / Learning Disabilities.
This introductory course takes approximately 90 minutes to complete and covers the following areas -
The course is informal, varied and interactive in its delivery - it's made up of videos, audio recordings, visuals, text and activities to help you reflect on your own practice and think about possible changes for the future.
£30 per person
I completed this training today and learned a huge amount. Your experience really shows and got me thinking deeply about this subject. This is a really valuable resource that will be reassuring to us as a guide when we need it.
Assistant Headteacher from a Special School
I loved the course, so useful and informative. Lovely to participate in a course which is specific to SEND. The videos were so emotional too. Teaching Assistant from a Special School
This one day course, delivered via Zoom, provides a comprehensive guide to supporting bereaved children & young people who have special educational needs and disabilities.
Wednesday June 19th 9:30 to 3:30
The course costs £125 per person and includes a copy of the WW specialist publication - We All Grieve.
July 17th 2024 - Child Bereavement UK Supporting Children & Young People with SEND
March 14th & 19th 2024 - Using Good Grief Toys
March 6th 2024 - Grief & SLD/PMLD
October 5th 2023 - We All Grieve training day for Winston's Wish
June 16th 2023 - Complex needs & disabilities - supporting bereaved children & young people for CBUK
March 15th 2023 - We All Grieve training day for Winston's Wish
January 24th 2023 - The creative guide to supporting bereaved children with SEND for Child Bereavement UK
November 1st 2022 - We All Grieve training day for Winston's Wish
September 26th 2022 - The Creative Guide to Supporting Bereaved Children with SEND for Child Bereavement UK
July 7th 2021 - Bespoke We All Grieve Training for Educational Psychologists for Winston's Wish
June 11th 2021 - We All Grieve training day for Winston's Wish
May 17th 2021 - A Special Kind of Grief Training Day
April 26th 2021 - SEND Bereavement & Grief Bespoke Training Day for Winston's Wish
February 11th 2021 - We All Grieve training day for Winston's Wish
February 9th 2021 - A Special Kind of Grief Support Session for Professionals Working with Bereaved Individuals with SEND /LD
January 29th 2021 - A Special Kind of Grief Training Day
November 19th 2020 - We All Grieve training day for Winston's Wish
July 2020 - Online SEND Bereavement Training for the Institute of Play & Attachment (Clear Sky Charity)
I have had lots of lovely feedback from members who are really enjoying your module! Thank you for a fantastic course. Anna Hodgson, Captain of Clear Sky
Older Feedback
July 11th 2018 - Bereavement & Grief Training Day in Honiton, Devon
I found the training so helpful and thought provoking. It was great to share thoughts and ideas with colleagues from a mixture of settings too.
April 27th 2018 - Bereavement & Grief, How to support children with difficult times for Somerset Partnership Teaching School, Yeovil
Thank you, it was ACE!
April 20th 2018 - SEND bereavement and loss, Grittleton Wiltshire
Thank you to @BackPocketTeach for a sensitive and reassuring day focusing on loss and bereavement. We had lots to talk about in the car on the way home. @JPGearingSEN
February 26th 2018 - Creative approaches to support children with difficult times, South Petherton Somerset
February 7th 2018 - SEND Bereavement & Loss Training at Plymouth Marjon University
I thought your session was excellent. It was crammed with useful, practical information that is obviously based on years of reflection. Your delivery was paced to the group needs and the interaction was respectful, focussed and I felt really useful.
November 2017 to January 2018 Teaching Alliance of Dorset Special Schools - 3 afternoon sessions on bereavement & grief
January 8th 2018 - SEND Bereavement & Loss Training at Ash Field Academy - Leicester
How to best support your SEND school community in moments of bereavement, grief and loss? Sarah has delivered this highly insightful, helpful and practical training at Ash Field Academy and I can highly recommend her work.
SEND Bereavement & Loss Training Day - October 20th 2017
September 4th 2017 - SEND Bereavement & Loss Training Session Victoria School, Poole
Many thanks for providing such valuable training which the staff found to be both challenging but very informative and beneficial. We will be looking to maintain links with you so that we can utilise you further in the future. Once again many, many thanks.
June 27th 2017 - SEND Bereavement & Loss Training Session at Horizons, Victoria Education Centre, Poole
Thank you for delivering a very useful training session.
April 27th 2017 - SEND Bereavement & Loss Training Day in South Petherton
2016/2017 -Twilight Training Sessions with New Fosseway School, Bristol
July 15th 2016 - SEN South West, TeachMeet Presentation - Is your school equipped to support children with Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities with bereavement and loss?
Thank you for a very interesting and thought provoking presentation.
Jill Owen - Head Teacher, Montacute School, Poole, Dorset
I have been lucky enough to work closely with Sarah for several years. She is a lovely, creative, sensitive person to work with. She always has the children at the heart of her thinking. I have seen her enthusiasm, positivity and care sparkle through to those around her on even the toughest of days. I cannot think of anyone better equipped to tackle this hugely important and immensely challenging area of our work.
I worked with Jill for 7 years at St Nicholas School, Chippenham, Wiltshire (an all age SLD/PMLD school). Jill was the Head Teacher and I was a teacher and then Assistant Head Teacher.
Sue Flavin - Deputy Head Teacher, St Nicholas School, Chippenham, Wiltshire
Sarah really knows what she is talking about! I have worked for several years with Sarah on the Leadership Team of a very special school, and I can honestly say she is one of the best teachers I have ever known. She understands the abilities and the needs of the pupils, parents, staff and the whole school community. Sarah has a vast wealth of experience, and she is gifted when sharing her expertise with others.
AND
Like many special schools, our school has dealt with the sad death of pupils, and also with pupil with life-limiting conditions. Sarah has first-hand experience of working with pupils with extremely complex needs, supporting them gently and sensitively to come to terms with their loss.
I worked with Sue for 7 years at St Nicholas School, Chippenham, Wiltshire (an all age SLD/PMLD school). Sue was the Assistant Head Teacher and later Deputy Head. I was a teacher and then Assistant Head Teacher.
Syb Rookwood - Deputy Head & SENCO at Minehead First School, Somerset
I had the pleasure of working with Sarah shortly after she started her teaching career. Even as a newly qualified teacher, her talents shone out and she quickly established herself as a highly skilled and compassionate professional. She inspired not only the children in her care, but also her colleagues. Sarah led by example and quickly developed an inclusive culture at the school.
Long after she moved on to pastures new her influence was still felt at school and her legacy continues to this day. She is a truly inspirational educator, one who will always give up her time to help, support and advise others - always in a gentle and encouraging way.
Sarah has taught across a wide range of settings and has been employed in a variety of senior roles. However, her greatest attribute is the friendship that she offers to children and their families, whatever their circumstances. They willingly put their trust in her, secure in the knowledge that she will always put the needs of the children first and that she will work tirelessly to ensure that they get the very best chances in life.
I worked with Syb for 3 and a half years at Minehead First School. I was the teacher in charge of the school’s SEN Resource Base.
Mrs AnnMarie Wyncoll - Parent
Sarah is one of the most inspirational people that I have ever met. When my son started school at the tender age of four, Sarah was his first teacher. To initially accept that your child needs to attend a specialist educational establishment is really tough and Sarah was, for us, a life saver during that time. We knew that we could trust her to support our son and give him the care and assistance that he needed; her enthusiasm and dedication to her work was unwavering. We felt safe knowing that our son was in Sarah’s capable hands and we are only sorry that he was not able to spend longer in her class. Sarah genuinely cares about her work and the children that she supports and we will be forever grateful for the reassurance that she gave us during a difficult time.
I had the pleasure of teaching Mrs Wyncoll's son at St Nicholas School, Chippenham, Wiltshire.Long after she moved on to pastures new her influence was still felt at school and her legacy continues to this day. She is a truly inspirational educator, one who will always give up her time to help, support and advise others - always in a gentle and encouraging way.
Sarah has taught across a wide range of settings and has been employed in a variety of senior roles. However, her greatest attribute is the friendship that she offers to children and their families, whatever their circumstances. They willingly put their trust in her, secure in the knowledge that she will always put the needs of the children first and that she will work tirelessly to ensure that they get the very best chances in life.
Kitty Eve - SENCO Chandag Infant & Junior School, Keynsham, Bristol
Sarah understands what it is like when death affects her classroom. Both the emotional trauma for the staff who have built up powerful relationships with the pupil and the sadness that the pupils feel for the loss of their friends. She has seen first hand what it can be like for children who do not have the communication tools to express themselves which is why she decided to write her book and help others to understand how to help the grief process for children with Special Educational Needs. Her wealth of experience as a class teacher and school leader means that her training will be thorough and will facilitate the mourning process in a sensitive and appropriate way.
I provided Kitty and Chandag Junior School with SEND Outreach Support.
Suzanne Askham - Governor, St Nicholas School, Chippenham, Wiltshire
In my role as a governor, I worked with Sarah on a range of issues at St Nicholas School. I always looked forward to our meetings. She was, and is, a breath of fresh air, able to bring understanding, empathy, practical solutions and positivity to a wide range of challenges. Sarah has always been brilliant at promoting inclusion for children with special needs; and also at understanding how to get specialist knowledge out to a wider audience, for the benefit of children who are not always well understood. Sarah has enthusiasm and a natural creativity that enables her to come up with original, workable solutions. I loved the button necklaces she made with her pupils, and wore with inimitable style!
Lisa Athan - Grief Speaks, New Jersey
What a wonderful time we had together. Was like a miracle how everything came together. Made my week. What a great world we live in with so many wonderful people. You do incredible work. So in awe.
Judi Alfano - Lakeview School, New Jersey
I cannot thank you enough for introducing me to Sarah and bringing her to Lakeview School. Sarah, what an amazing afternoon I had. I felt like we had worked in the same school but at different times. Our schools are so parallel - both with the same beautiful students, dedicated staff and hopes and dreams for the future. I am still in awe with all that your staff do and the responsibilities they have. I cannot wait to share all of this with our teachers. Lakeview School has ordered your books, and my own copy arrive on Friday. I feel so blessed to own a book written by such a wonderful, spirited person. You truly captured Lakeview - and more - in your writing Sarah. I will happily share this with our staff. I am humbled by your words Sarah.
Maureen Patterson - Good Grief Program, Boston Medical Centre
It was so lovely to meet with you have gain an international perspective on how different countries are integrating grief and loss themes into classroom environments. It both highlights some of the work that we are doing right and illuminates the many new avenues that we can continue to forge! Thank you for the resources you shared with me - I have already been thinking about how to incorporate these bereavement response plans into the collaborative work that I do with schools. All the best to you on your continued travels and what comes next!
Amanda Arnst - Teacher, Cotting School, Massachusetts
Thank you so much for today! It was amazing to have you visit us! You will never know how much that it meant to me, and I know my co-workers really took a lot away from it! I cannot wait to see where you work takes you! So much appreciation!!
Today was one of the best days of my entire career! There are those amazing people who just get it. Sarah Helton thank you for the unbelievable work you do. Here is to hopefully working together in the future.
Dr. Pam Varrin - Family Support Coordinator, Cotting School, Massachusetts
What a pleasure it was to connect with a true kindred spirit. We would have loved for you to stay longer, and hope we can work that out sometime in the future.
Jarle Eid - University of Bergen
Your work is pioneering & I hope we can find an opportunity to invite you back to the university & clinic perhaps some time early next year when we could plan for a workshop for clinical psychologists and researchers here in Bergen.
Martin Lytje - Danish Cancer Society
We very much enjoyed having you here & you got some glowing feedback from the people you talked to. We are all sure that you have a glowing future ahead of you within this area and look forward to following it.
Anne-Marie Keis - Social Worker, Lolland Kommune, Denmark
Thank you for giving us inspiration, acknowledgement & enthusiasm. It was a great pleasure spending time with you.
Anne Brandt Olsen - Social Worker, Lolland Kommune, Denmark
Thank you to you too, so nice to meet a person so dedicated to help the children. Looking forward to seeing your report & to see you again.
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