By Dr Gemma McKenna, Health Services Management Fellow School of Social Policy, University of Birmingham Originally posted as a blog piece for The Voice of UK Health Services Research (HSR UK). On the 18th March 2020, schools across the UK closed their doors. Children said goodbye to their teachers and friends, some for the … Continue reading “Under pressure: Children and Young People’s Mental Health, the hidden impacts of COVID-19”
Business as usual? Race, white privilege and COVID-19
By Professor Kalwant Bhopal, Professor of Education and Social Justice & Director of the Centre for Research on Race and Education, University of Birmingham “If we are serious about addressing such inequalities and how white privilege works, we must look to improving the lives of BME communities…” Recent figures released from the ONS suggest … Continue reading “Business as usual? Race, white privilege and COVID-19”
Constructing a new reality: leadership lessons from other times of crisis
By Dr Madeleine Findon, Lecturer in Educational Leadership School of Education, University of Birmingham “…society must ensure that educational leaders are supported to be crisis-responsive by providing the preparation, resources and support they need to ensure their settings survive, then thrive as we construct the new reality together.” The longer the lockdown lasts, the further … Continue reading “Constructing a new reality: leadership lessons from other times of crisis”
How long will we comply with COVID lockdown? 3 tests for legitimate rules
By Dr Claire Mcloughlin & Professor David Hudson International Development Department, University of Birmingham “People are more likely to comply with rules that don’t benefit them if they have some basis in shared values and beliefs and fairness.” Across the world, citizens are facing extraordinary limits on their livelihoods and freedom of association. But as … Continue reading “How long will we comply with COVID lockdown? 3 tests for legitimate rules”
Character in a time of crisis
By Benjamin Miller, Research Fellow Jubilee Centre for Character & Virtues, University of Birmingham “For many teachers, the coronavirus crisis has been a reminder that a holistic education can encompass both the formation of character and the very best academic standards.” The theme for Mental Health Awareness Week this year is kindness. Throughout the week, … Continue reading “Character in a time of crisis”
Re-opening Schools– why I think it is too much of a risk to all
By Colin Diamond CBE, Professor of Education Leadership School of Education, University of Birmingham “The best school leaders will want to do the right thing: balancing the needs of children and the well-being of staff in the full knowledge of how their local community is faring under lockdown.” This week the narrative to get our … Continue reading “Re-opening Schools– why I think it is too much of a risk to all”
The importance of the ‘great outdoors’
By Victoria Saunders, Lecturer in Primary Teacher Education School of Education, University of Birmingham “They have the freedom to make a mess, use their imagination and escape from the stress and anxiety of what is going on around them.” It is 6.10am and the first words I hear from my two daughters (aged 2 and … Continue reading “The importance of the ‘great outdoors’”
The beguiling simplicity of common sense
By Steve Gulati, Director of Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Programme School of Social Policy, University of Birmingham “So, one person’s common sense could just as easily be another’s reckless risk. ” UK citizens have been told to use “good, solid British common sense” in the face of the revised COVID-19 lockdown rules. This sounds simple enough … Continue reading “The beguiling simplicity of common sense”
Mental Health Awareness Week: Why Kindness?
By Maureen Smojkis, Lecturer in Mental Health Department of Social Work and Social Care, University of Birmingham “We as individuals are worth being kind to.” Mental Health Awareness Week (18-24 May 2020) is co-ordinated by the Mental Health Foundation and focuses this year on kindness, chosen in light of the challenging situation we find ourselves in, … Continue reading “Mental Health Awareness Week: Why Kindness?”
Re-opening English Primary Schools Safely from 1st June: mission impossible?
By Colin Diamond CBE, Professor of Education Leadership School of Education, University of Birmingham “Common sense tells us that maintaining a socially distanced classroom with five and six year olds is all but impossible.” So what do we know now in the light of the latest news on easing the lockdown? Primary schools in England … Continue reading “Re-opening English Primary Schools Safely from 1st June: mission impossible?”