A digital resource to help support secondary school communities in Jersey has gone live.
The ‘start2bresilient’ project will give schools invaluable insights into how students are thinking and feeling, together with the skills to help them through the mental, emotional, and social upheaval brought on by COVID-19 and beyond.
Encouraged by results from an initial face-to-face programme with both Haute Vallee School and Victoria College, the ‘start2bresilient’ resource can now benefit more local students, teachers and parents.
The findings of this initial programme showed:
- 400% improvement in student behaviour
- 100% improved ability to deal with pressure and stress
- Anxiety levels significantly reduced across students and their parent and teacher support network
- 95% improved ability to manage difficult relationships and conflict
- 91% improved ability to make better decisions and solve problems
Based in Jersey but working globally, the Resilience Development Company’s primary business is supporting NHS professionals, Government and FTSE 100 companies with the resilience skills to live better, work better and feel better.
Emma Ogilvie, Director of the Resilience Development Company, explained: “Just like adults in the working world, students’ mental health and performance significantly benefit from the framework of tools and skills to get the most out of life, its challenges, and successes. The evidence-based skills facilitate the ability to think strategically, to help them better manage their emotional and mental health and support them in becoming the leaders of the future”.
Seven secondary schools have joined the digital ‘start2bresilient’ project so far. The resource focuses on skills to tackle stress, boost confidence and control and gives students award-winning techniques that will help them with their schoolwork and as they continue their journey in their chosen professions. Hautlieu and Le Rocquier launched the resource this week and have already included it into their ongoing student curriculum.
Kimberley Lappin, Head of Social Science Faculty at Le Rocquier said: “We’re excited for the potential we see in this digital resource as its incredibly important that we support our students, parents and teachers in every way we can during these challenging times. It is a unique opportunity for our school community to learn key skills and techniques together that are quick and practical and give people a common language in which they can talk about their emotions or worries without feeling vulnerable”.
Claire Jackson, Deputy Headteacher at Hautlieu said: “When the team at Resilience Development Company came in to see me, I was immediately struck by how easy the skills were to grasp and communicate to others. The resource will give us invaluable information about how our students are thinking and feeling at the moment, together with the skills to help them through this difficult period of time. It’s great to be involved.
Tracey Vallois, outgoing Minister for Education commented: “Having had the opportunity to meet students and teachers who have participated in the resilience programme before COVID-19, it is clear there are opportunities and outcomes that would not only enable us as a community to tackle mental health issues but also create confidence and challenge in a world that is constantly changing.It provides a toolkit for life that could be a game-changer for how we support younger generations into the future”.
This unique programme partners local industry with schools allowing for the digital resource to be offered free to all secondary schools. We are very grateful to both IQEQ and Complete Facilities Management for having the vision to support this unique project in Hautlieu and Le Rocquier school.
IQ-EQ Senior HR Business Partner, Kerrie-anne Bizouarn said: “This is an incredibly relevant and timely project that we are delighted to be able to support. ‘start2bresilient’ is fundamental in helping students and their families build and maintain mental health & resilience, which is vital both now and for the future. IQ-EQ remains committed to improving our islands mental health by working with the Resilience Development Company to ensure the programme reaches as many of our young people as possible”.
Complete Facilities CEO, Martin Mundy said: “We are delighted to be one of the sponsors for this project. Creating new opportunities for students is incredibly important. As a company, we feel passionate about supporting island wellbeing and mental health, especially when it comes to our children and their future”.
Haute Vallee, Victoria College, Beaulieu, De La Salle and Jersey College for Girls are all set to integrate the resource into their curriculums from February half-term onwards.
Louise Scambler, Director, the Resilience Development Company commented: “This project simply would not be possible without industry sponsorship. It’s what has enabled us to move quickly and respond effectively to meet the needs of the school community. We are welcoming any organisation that would like to sponsor a school during this difficult time”.
