Compassionate Schools
Engaging young hearts and minds
The Compassionate Schools programme encourages and empowers conversations in schools and colleges about death and dying so that children and young people are equipped to have a better understanding of loss and the emotions associated with it.
Figures show that one in 29 children are affected by the terminal illness or loss of a close family member – that’s roughly one child in every classroom. We believe it is important that these children feel well supported not only by their class teachers, but also by their fellow pupils and other school staff.
We can 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 that they can carry with them into adulthood.
St Luke’s championed the initiative in 2017 and there has been ongoing demand ever since. To date 25 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.
