Bereavement Support

Bereavement Support

How APS supports bereaved pupils

At some point in our lives we all need to deal with loss. It may be the expected or sudden death of a close family member, a pet or a close friend. It might be the movement of our family to other parts of the country or overseas or could also occur when someone close is diagnosed with a life changing or life limiting illness. Most children do not need a “bereavement expert” to help them deal with their grief, but do need someone to care and to listen; for this we have a designated member of staff.

School, by providing the usual day- to- day routines can do a huge amount to support children through this process. We can offer normality and a listening ear, in a safe environment, that is not directly connected to the loss. At APS we are able to offer children a range of stories and activities to help them understand what death/loss means, how it might affect them and with suggestions of what happens next. With your permission, we are able to explain procedures and arrangements, which immediate family may find difficult to discuss at an emotional time. We also have available a wealth of websites and agencies that can offer advice or counselling for the wider family should this be required.