Building Resilience in Our Children

What is Resilience?

Resilience is the ability to bounce back from challenges, adapt to change, and keep going despite setbacks. It means developing the inner strength to face difficulties with confidence, manage emotions effectively, and solve problems independently. At St Ann’s Church of England Primary School, we see resilience as a vital life skill that helps children thrive both in school and beyond.

Why Do We Want Children to Be Resilient?

Resilience supports children’s well-being, learning, and personal growth. When children are resilient, they are better equipped to cope with the ups and downs of life, including academic challenges, social changes, and emotional hurdles. Resilient children tend to have higher self-esteem, improved mental health, and greater motivation to achieve their goals. We believe fostering resilience prepares our children to navigate life positively and successfully.

How We Nurture Resilience at School

At St Ann’s, resilience is woven into our school ethos and everyday practice:

• We create a supportive and inclusive environment where children feel safe to take risks and learn from mistakes.
• Our curriculum encourages problem-solving, critical thinking, and perseverance through engaging and challenging activities.
• Teachers model resilience by showing how to handle setbacks calmly and constructively.
• We teach social and emotional skills explicitly through our PSHE curriculum and assemblies, helping children understand and manage their feelings and build positive relationships.
• Recognition and praise focus on effort, progress, and determination, not just results, to build a growth mindset.

How Parents Can Support Resilience at Home

Parents play a crucial role in nurturing resilience. Here are some ways you can help your child:

• Encourage your child to try new things and praise their effort, not just success.
• Allow your child to experience manageable challenges and support them in finding solutions rather than solving problems for them.
• Talk openly about emotions and model calm, positive ways of dealing with difficulties.
• Establish consistent routines and clear expectations to provide a secure and predictable environment.
• Celebrate progress and small achievements to build confidence and motivation.
• Maintain open communication with the school to work together in supporting your child’s resilience journey.

Together, by fostering resilience both at school and home, we can help our children grow into confident, capable, and compassionate individuals ready to face the future with strength and hope.