How schools can support grieving children and parents

13th November 2025

St Luke’s Compassionate Schools programme encourages and empowers conversations in schools and colleges about death and dying so that staff and pupils can help support and comfort children and young people, and their families, when they are facing the loss of someone close.

Figures show that one in 29 children in the UK are affected by the terminal illness or loss of a close family member – that’s roughly one child in every classroom. Through our close contact with local families in times of crisis, we know how important it is for grieving children to feel well supported not only by their class teachers, but also by their fellow pupils and other school staff.

Adopting the Compassionate Schools ethos means better understanding of bereavement and the emotions associated with it, and an attitude of caring and kindness becomes an integral part of the school day.

St Luke’s role is to provide guidance for a whole school approach to opening discussions, establishing procedures for support, and offering appropriate awareness sessions to staff so they can set children and young people up with compassionate knowledge and skills to can carry with them into adulthood.

We championed the initiative in 2017 and there has been ongoing demand ever since. To date over 30 education establishments, including primary, secondary, and higher education, in the city of Plymouth and in the wider communities of West and South West Devon and East Cornwall, have engaged with the programme. Several of these are now proudly recognised as Compassionate Schools while others are working towards achieving this status.

As a charity serving the local community, St Luke’s three-year strategy (2024-2027) prioritises the implementation of the Compassionate Schools programme as a key part of our Community Development work to improve death literacy and build a more compassionate society.

Leigham Primary School, Plymouth, is a shining of example of how becoming a Compassionate School not only benefits children and families who are coping with the death of a family member but also promotes a more supportive environment for everyone.

Headteacher Sam Barker explained: “At Leigham Primary School, we are incredibly passionate about providing support to bereaved children and families and those going through anticipatory grief. Being recognised as a Compassionate School and hearing about the positive impact of our work on our pupils and families has made this journey so worthwhile.

“Our children are supported by peers (Compassionate Buddies) and adults (Compassionate Friends) in school. Our lunchtime drop-in Starfish Club is incredibly popular and provides a safe space for support, reflection or even a distraction. Our memory tree in the library is a lovely way for families to remember loved ones at special times.

“Our school project has been so well led by Shana Marsh, Gemma Tucker and Tamsin Bentley. It really has become part of what we stand for and weaves through our values at Leigham.

“As headteacher, it was my own grief and personal experiences which compelled me to sign up to the Compassionate Schools project. I lost both my mum Susan Pollard (who managed a St Luke’s charity shop) and my dad within a few weeks of each other. My own difficulties navigating grief made me so passionate about ensuring that our pupils had support in place to help them through such difficult times.”

A parent whose daughters have received bereavement support at Leigham Primary, has nothing but praise for the school’s approach.

She said: “The Compassionate Schools group has had a deeply positive impact on my children following the devastating loss of their beloved daddy who was only 27. The girls were aged six and three at the time.

“When everything felt uncertain and overwhelming, the support we received gave my children a sense of understanding, safety, and belonging that they truly needed. Being a grieving wife, whilst supporting my girls was the hardest task I have ever undertaken, but the support made it a much easier situation for me.

“Through the specialised groups my daughters have been able to connect with others who had experienced similar losses or understood their loss. The Compassionate Friends offered them space to express their feelings openly and without judgment and gently guided them through their grief with empathy and care.

“The support wasn’t just emotional; it was practical too. I’ve seen my girls grow stronger, more open, and more able to carry their grief with them in a healthy, supported way. Talking about daddy isn’t so sad any more. The memories are cherished, and we can all talk openly.

“Not every day is easy, but they are certainly easier with the support we receive from Leigham Primary School, even three years on.

“We are incredibly grateful to The Compassionate Friends for their work, they continue to bring comfort, hope, and healing to families like ours at a time when it is most needed. Nothing is too much trouble and on the harder days, open arms are available. I cannot thank the school enough for everything they do for the girls.”

Another parent, whose young sons have been supported at Leigham Primary, added: “More schools need this in place. Friends I have told about the support we have received don’t have anything like it in their children’s schools. I am so thankful.

“At the end of their foundation year, my sons’ Grandad began to fall very ill with his long-term illness.  St Luke’s were hugely involved and so amazing in supporting and caring for us all. We sadly lost their Grandad on 4 August 2024.  He was surrounded by all the family, including the two boys, at home. My sons were both massively affected by this loss and starting Year One was another massive milestone for them.

“I emailed the headteacher before the beginning of term to explain what had happened. My family and I were blown away by the compassion and love and support for myself as well as for my boys. From the first day of Year One things were put in place. The boys joined the Starfish Group and the first thing they made was a rainbow. They both came home and put it next to their granddad’s picture where it still sits to this day. They have done so much more with the Starfish Group such as Christmas time with the school tree, as well as normal visits as and when they need them.

“One of the boys still struggles a lot more than the other. A staff member saw this and started a little memory book with him. She took time to sit with him and learn more about the amazing relationship that he had with his Grandad, and they wrote memories down. He still carries this to school every day.

“The Starfish Group is there as and when I need, as are the compassionate, loving teachers who still support my boys, including last week when it was their Grandad’s birthday.”

Would your school or college like to know more about the Compassionate Schools programme? Email community.development@stlukes-hospice.org.uk

Compassionate Schools Our Compassionate Community

Related articles

, ,

Meet the Guiding Lights Artists

A host of talented artists are using their vision and skill to transform 2.4 metre tall blank white lighthouse sculptures into vibrant and imaginative beacons of hope. Their creations will brighten the streets of Plymouth this summer as part of St Luke’s Guiding Lights Sculpture Trail and Auction, raising vital funds for St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth and its work in the local community.
Road to London_ Stu's story
, ,

BLOG: Road to London: Stu’s story

For Stu Collyer, running has never come naturally - certainly not the kind of miles that lead to the London Marathon, and definitely not the kind of training carried out on the cramped flight deck of a Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship.
St Luke's Drake City Centre Shop
, ,

BLOG: Landmark city centre store reopens after major refit

St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth’s landmark Drake store has reopened after a top-to-toe refit, and its transformation is stopping city centre shoppers in their tracks.
Vet Sinéad Short
, ,

BLOG: Putting down the stethoscope, lacing up the trainers in aid of St Luke’s

Local vet Sinéad Short will be swapping her stethoscope for her trainers next weekend, as she takes on the Dartmoor Marathon in memory of her father. Taking place on Sunday 12 April, the marathon will see Sinéad - originally from Yelverton - taking on the stunning, yet rugged landscapes of Dartmoor, all while raising money for St Luke’s.
, ,

BLOG: Need-a-Cab backs St Luke’s ‘Sponsor a Nurse’ with heartfelt support

Local taxi firm Need a Cab has stepped forward to sponsor St Luke’s Sponsor a Nurse campaign, helping to keep our nurses on the roads and on the wards so they can continue delivering expert hospice care across the community.
, ,

BLOG: Shine a light on hospice care at St Luke’s Midnight Walk

Get ready - St Luke’s iconic Midnight Walk returns for 2026! Step out under the stars to celebrate treasured memories of loved ones and raise vital funds for the compassionate local care we deliver across the community.
Helping schools talk about death and loss
, ,

BLOG: Hospice’s pioneering programme helps schools talk about death

Schools in East Cornwall are opening up brave conversations about death, dying, loss and bereavement with children, teachers and families with the aid of a transformative community education programme created by St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth.
Aimee and Dan
, ,

BLOG: A date night to remember for Aimee and Dan at St Luke’s

After being admitted to St Luke’s specialist unit to manage the complex symptoms of her stage four cancer, Aimee Sumner was really missing date nights with her husband, Dan. So when she asked if it was possible to set up something at the hospice, the team pulled out all the stops to create a memorable soiree for the couple.
, ,

BLOG: Pedalling for St Luke’s: Tugboats and Dolphins take on a 1,200 mile challenge

When three friends from Plymouth set off from Dover today, they’ll be carrying far more than their bikes and kit. They’ll be kicking off one of many challenges in their year long mission to raise £15,000 to help St Luke’s care for families across our community.
PreviousNext

Our Care

Support us

Courses

Information

BLOG: You can take the lady out of St Luke’s but not St Luke’s out of the...BLOG: A brush with Christmas: Brian Pollard’s festive designs for St Luke...