At a time of great concern about the mental health and well-being of our children and young people, how can schools help children to develop the skills they need to cope when things get difficult?

We know that resilient children are more able to manage anxiety, cope with uncertainty and recover more successfully from traumatic events. Boosting resilience can protect against the development of depression and other mental illnesses. Importantly, it can also build self-confidence and achievement. 

Our fourth annual Inclusion Matters conference explores the theme of Resilience, bringing together examples from theory and practice of the many and varied ways in which schools can help children to develop the capacity to be more resilient.

We are returning to the beautiful, iconic setting of Gorton Monastery, and can guarantee an interesting and energising programme providing an opportunity to take some time out to reflect and plan.

Booking for this event is now closed, but you can follow updates on social media, #resilience

Programme

08:45 – 9:30 Registration

Tea, coffee and Danish Pastries served on arrival in the Nave

09:30 – 12:30 Morning session: Resilience and Personal Growth

09:30 – 10:15 Opening remarks and film première

Resilience: a documentary

We are proud to host the premiere of a specially commissioned film by the young film-maker Meg Houghton Gilmour. Starting with an exploration of ways in which media images affect children's levels of anxiety, the film shows us how the emotional curriculum in schools can support and sustain protective factors. This creative documentary features interviews with  teachers, parents and educational psychologists in the City of Manchester together with images of children working in Manchester schools, bringing a unique local, community focus to this work.

10:15 – 10:45 Keynote address:

Professor Nicola Whitton: The importance of failure – Playful learning for all ages

10:45 – 11.15 Introductory presentations

Mylene McGuire (St Mary’s RC Primary, Levenshulme): Growth Mindset

Thaley Clough (Broad Oak Primary): Forest Crew

Catherine Kelly (Educational Psychologist): Play and Resilience

11:15 – 11:40 Break: Tea/coffee and biscuits served in the Nave

11:45 – 12:45: Seminars (choose 1) - full details are linked here

Seminar 1 Professor Nicola Whitton: Providing opportunities for non-critical failure (follow on from the Keynote address)

Seminar 2 Mylene McGuire and colleagues from St Mary’s RC Primary: Learning to Learn – Growth Mindset in Practice

Seminar 3 Thaley Clough and colleagues from Broad Oak Primary School: Forest Crew at Broad Oak “Our Saplings Bend but don’t Break”

Seminar 4 Dr Catherine Kelly, Educational Psychologist: The Value of Play in Promoting Resilience

Seminar 5 Linda Goodacre, Educational Psychologist and colleagues from Lancasterian Sensory Support Service: Building Resilience, Supporting Independence. Using social stories to facilitate inclusion for children with sensory impairments

12:45 – 1:30 Lunch

Chef’s Choice 2 course buffet lunch served in the Nave

1:30 – 4:00 Afternoon session: Resilience and Emotional Health and Well-Being

1:30 – 2:00 Keynote address:

Zoe Woodworth: Five Ways to Well-Being

2:00 – 2:30 Introductory presentations and panel discussion

Adrienne Green, Nice Work Consulting: Building Resilience to Maintain Mental Well-Being

Yvonne Monaghan, Nurture Group Network: Nurture and Resilience

Zoe Woodworth, Charlie Waller Memorial Trust

2:30 – 3:30 Seminars (choose 1) - full details are linked here

Seminar 6: Zoe Woodworth, Charlie Waller Memorial Trust: Developing a Mental Health Policy for your School

Seminar 7: Adrienne Green, Nice Work Consulting: Building Resilience to Maintain Mental Well-Being

Seminar 8: Yvonne Monaghan, Nurture Group Network: Nurture and Resilience – How an understanding of Nurture principles can build your own resilience along with your pupils

Seminar 9: Paula Muir, Educational Psychologist: How2Relate - understanding the psychology behind perpetrator prevention work for primary and secondary aged children aimed at reducing reduce relationship violence and abusive behaviour.

3:30 – 4:00 Plenary

Tea/coffee and mini cakes served in the Nave