Revamped resource helping children to Keep their Cool in School

A national resource to help children with their relationships and behaviour was re-launched this week at the Rothes Halls in Glenrothes.

Keeping Your Cool in School is a refreshed and redesigned programme aimed at helping our children manage their emotions in different types of situations, helping them to grow and maintain healthy relationships and improve their mental health and well-being.

The programme is a refresh and expansion of the Cool in School programme which was devised and developed in Fife in 2007. This revised and updated programme is the result of a collaboration between Fife Council, Scottish Government, Digital Bricks and Scottish Mediation.

Around 150 guests attended the launch from Fife and other local authorities as well as Education Scotland and Scottish Government representatives. They heard how the resource can help children and young people manage their own and others’ feelings while equipping them with emotional skills which can see them through life.

Fife Council Leader David Ross addressed the audience at the event, where he underlined the importance of teaching our children the skills they need to navigate themselves through an ever-changing world.

He said: “We are very aware that children and young people today face challenges which previous generations have not had to deal with. That said, the fundamental emotional skills required to nurture positive relationships haven’t really changed.

“The original Cool in School was an award-winning programme which was rolled out across Scotland. It is great to see that that this invaluable resource has now been updated, refreshed and redesigned for a modern audience. It has been a real team effort between the various organisations and couldn’t have been done without the invaluable insight and support from our schools, staff and pupils. They’ve done a brilliant job.

“The programme teaches our children valuable skills for healthy relationships and positive mindsets, which can help them during their time at school but also throughout their lives. It really is a resource which will see them through life. "

The overall aims of the programme are to:

• help children recognise and discuss their feelings about themselves and others

• equip children with the attitudes and skills they need to thrive in a changing society

• encourage parents and staff to work together to teach children respect for themselves and one another, in order that they cope well with the challenges of school.

Jenny Gilruth, Cabinet Secretary for Education and Skills said: “ I am delighted to support this refreshed and expanded Keeping Your Cool in School resource. I have been encouraged by the positive engagement of teachers, headteachers and the school staff during the update and redesign of these resources and the enthusiasm that they have for them. It is important that the next generation of children and young people are equipped with skills to manage their emotions, develop relationships and become confident in difficult situations and that is exactly what these resources can achieve.”

The programme has been updated for 2024 to reflect:

• Changes in society – including our attitudes, values and beliefs.

• Our developing knowledge of how children and young people are impacted by conflict and disputes within relationships.

• The ways we use technology as a learning tool within school.

• A streamlined approach to planning for the delivery of ‘Keeping Your Cool In School’ – allowing for teacher judgement with regards to how to frame questions and discussion activities.

Keeping your Cool in School has been redesigned to support children in developing & maintaining positive relationships; becoming more confident in tackling challenging situations and enabling them to have a better understanding of their responsibilities in school and beyond. It provides them with the skills to manage emotions and raises awareness of wider issues affecting them and their peers.

Each level of the programme explores a range of responses to different situations, focusing on aggressive, avoidant & assertive (cool) responses. It provides a range of age specific resources through primary school by encouraging and developing the attitudes and life-skills for children to grow as individuals and to thrive within the school community and beyond.

This updated resource was created by Fife Council Education staff alongside the Digital Bricks Learning team and Scottish Mediation. Special thanks go to Capshard PS, Torbain PS, Methilhill PS, Pitcoudie PS, Wormit PS, St Patrick’s PS, Glenwood HS, Fife Professional Learning Team, Pupil Support Service and Educational Psychology Service.

Our picture shows Lynne Tobin, Education Support Worker and Louise Steen, Fife's Our Minds Matter lead, who hosted the event.