How ISPCC’s Smart Moves can help children to get ahead going back to school

You’re never too old to get that ‘back to school’ feeling. For a lot of children and young people, the return to education is an exciting time as they catch up with friends, start new classes and resume extracurricular activities. But for some children and parents in Tipperary, as well as across the country, it’s a much more daunting prospect. 

At Childline, Ireland’s only 24/7 listening service, we are aware of the many concerns that children and young people have about going back to school. They tell us about their worries, everything from fitting in with new friendship groups to getting used to a new teacher, juggling extracurricular activities and meeting expectations of family, friends and school.

The transition from primary to secondary school is also a huge issue for many. Ben* who is starting first year told us that he finds it difficult to talk to new people and is also feeling anxious as he has been a target for bullying in the past.

In recognising the challenges and anxiety around these transitions, ISPCC offers Smart Moves, a free, resilience- and evidence-based programme for fifth- and sixth-class pupils. It also has a secondary school programme which supports young people as they begin their journey in secondary school. 

At Childline, we understand these life transitions can be hard. We hear about them so often from our callers. Robyn* told us that she is worried about starting secondary school because she will only know one other person. Jess* tells us that she is worried about returning because she fears that her new glasses will make her a target for bullies.

For Alex*, who is going into second year, the return to school has always been hard. She doesn’t like change and is unhappy that classes will be streamed so she will be separated from her friends for much of the school day.

She is also worried about making the grade academically and being talked about by other students. But she has taken solace in knowing that she can always reach out to Childline for any reason. 

Our Smart Moves programme is teacher-led and includes short lessons covering topics from friendship to problem-solving to sleep difficulties. Niamh Clarke of ISPCC says that: “Smart Moves is based on the resilience framework and looks to build lifelong coping skills for young people. Having resilience does not mean you will not face challenges. However, it gives ability to endure these challenges and bounce back.”

ISPCC has just launched an Irish-language version of the programme for primary schools.

According to one teacher who was involved in the programme, “it stimulated good conversations”, while another said that the programme was very easy to use, adding that “it encouraged pupils to think about potential worries, problems and routes of support”.

For the students themselves, completing the Smart Moves programme was an overwhelmingly positive experience and they would recommend that other schools get involved in it. 

As one 6th class pupil said, “it made me feel more prepared by talking about my feelings and other people’s feelings”.

For more information on the supports ISPCC offers to children and young people, please go to https://www.ispcc.ie/smart-moves/