Schools as Places for Healing and Learning: A Vision for Change

This conference challenges the notion that schools should solely be places of learning and explores the incredible benefits—both for individuals and society—when schools also serve as places of healing. This includes ensuring schools provide appropriate training and implement key relational interventions.

Children spend around 13,000 hours in school. Failing to offer an enriching culture for all and a sanctuary for those facing difficult lives is a missed opportunity. Contrary to concerns about time, cultivating a healing culture can actually save time by reducing behavioral issues and stress for both staff and students.

Additionally, speakers will argue that there is a missing step in the ladder of support: from lessons within the PSHE mental health curriculum to referring those in ongoing distress to CAMHS. In 2024, 1.2 million referrals were made to CAMHS, with nearly 40,000 children waiting at least two years. A quarter of these young people attempt to take their own lives while waiting. Research shows that suitably trained school staff can be highly effective in supporting children and young people with mild to moderate mental health issues.

Join us for a truly inspiring conference featuring experts in the field and those with lived experience.

Julie Jones: Schools & Prisons Lead: Invisible Walls Advocates for children with parents in prison through the ‘School Zone’ initiative, strengthening ties between prisoners, their children, and teachers, improves attendance, self-esteem, and mental health. Recognised by the Crime and Social Justice Awards.

Dr Katriona O’Sullivan: University Professor/psychologist Raised in a home shaped by her parents’ heroin addiction, Overcame poverty, teenage pregnancy, homelessness to earn PhD (Trinity College Dublin). Debut book, Poor, became a #1 Irish Non-Fiction bestseller, detailing her memoir of poverty. Speaks of how her teachers meant everything.

Julie Harmieson: Director of Education and National Strategy, TISUK. 23 years experience in education, specialising in supporting children with SEMH and challenging behaviour. Former Headteacher, now leading trauma-informed practice across several Multi Academy Trusts. To foster inclusive, healing environments, enabling whole school community to thrive.

Aliyah Ali CEO Daddyless Daughters Child in residential care, permanent exclusion from school, county lines, ended up in Holloway Prison aged 18. Said it was the first time she felt safe. Speaks passionately about what schools can do to help people like her and to prevent school to prison pipe line and criminal/sexual exploitation.

Dr Margot Sunderland Director of Education and Training Centre for Child Mental Health Child and adult psychotherapist for over 30 years: Over 20 books on child mental health including The Science of Parenting (first prize winner in BMA book awards). Scriptwriter/ Director of the film: What every teenager needs to know about emotion, relationships and mental health.

Travis George: From emotionally based school avoidance to becoming finalist in Britain’s Got Talent. From his own healing journey, speaks profoundly about what schools can do to support those with extreme anxiety.