It is hard to imagine anything more difficult for a child than losing a loved one. Yet we often avoid discussing death or dying with children, believing that we will upset them or, for those experiencing such a loss, that we will make things worse.
With one in 29 school-aged children experiencing the loss of a parent, it’s essential that teachers are equipped to support bereaved children. As educators, our responsibility lies in educating the whole child and we play a critical role in supporting our pupils through life’s most challenging moments.
Through my own experiences with loss, both in the classroom and in my personal life, I’ve seen at first hand how crucial it is to have the right services and support systems in place for children. Loss can affect children in many different ways, and it is vital that staff in schools are able to provide support when their pupils need it most.
At the University of Aberdeen, our partnership with the Archie’s Child Bereavement Service (ACBS) charity equips student teachers with crucial training and the tools to support children experiencing bereavement.
This encourages teachers not to shy away from the reality of death. Instead, they’re taught to use clear language - like “death” and “dying” - to avoid any confusion for children, and the training gives them guidance on how to talk to and support children and young people experiencing bereavement and loss.
Teachers will inevitably encounter bereavement
The reality is that teachers will inevitably encounter bereaved children throughout their careers. Statistics shared during training from ACBS show that one-third of children will require bereavement support at some stage. With such numbers, it is clear that grief isn’t an exceptional circumstance - it is something teachers must be prepared to address as part of their classroom practice.
Furthermore, with every child experiencing grief differently, this support can be needed a long time after the initial loss. By providing student teachers with bereavement training, we empower them to offer the support that grieving children need.
Knowing how to use appropriate language and having the confidence to engage with children about loss helps create a sense of security for those going through unimaginable pain. Children need to know that their feelings are valid and that it’s OK to talk about their loss in a safe, supportive environment.
I feel strongly that this training is not just an extra - it’s a necessity. Every teacher, at some point, will encounter grief in their classroom, and we owe it to these children to be prepared. Ultimately, everything we do in teacher education is for the benefit of the children we work with.
This partnership with ACBS is about ensuring that teachers have the tools, language and confidence to support grieving students - whether they need it next year or 10 years from now.
Alyson Young is a lecturer and director of the postgraduate PGDE in primary teaching at the University of Aberdeen
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