Raising Resilience

Most schools begin with a whole-staff training session, usually during an INSET day or twilight session. This introduces the key ideas behind BOUNCE, including:

• how children’s brains respond to emotions

• why emotional regulation supports learning and behaviour

• the shared language used across the programme

• practical strategies staff can begin using straight away

This first step helps build a shared understanding and confidence across the whole staff team, so everyone starts from the same place.

BOUNCE is designed as a whole-school programme, and we recommend introducing it across all year groups from the beginning.

This is where the real power of the programme lies. When the same language and ideas are used consistently across classrooms, playgrounds and conversations with parents, pupils quickly begin to recognise and apply the skills.

Schools often find that introducing BOUNCE whole-school actually reduces complexity for senior leaders, rather than creating additional work, because everyone is working from the same shared framework.

To make this manageable, the programme introduces a small number of simple shared messages each term during the first year.

This means staff are not expected to learn everything at once. Instead, the whole school gradually becomes familiar with key ideas such as:

• understanding feelings
• noticing feelings in the body
• pressing pause before reacting
• asking for help when feelings feel big

Each term builds on the last, allowing the approach to become part of everyday school life rather than an additional initiative.

No. In many schools the opposite happens.

Because everyone is using the same shared language and strategies, staff spend less time working out how to respond to emotional situations and behaviour challenges.

The programme also provides:

• ready-to-use lesson plans
• practical scripts for common situations
• simple visual resources
• clear guidance for staff

Many schools find that this actually reduces pressure on senior leaders, as staff feel more confident handling emotional moments consistently.

Embedding a whole-school approach takes time, but schools usually notice early changes within the first year.

A typical first year looks something like this:

Term 1 – Introduction

• Staff training
• Introducing shared language
• Beginning to talk about feelings and the brain
• Staff starting to use simple scripts and strategies

Term 2 – Building confidence

• Expanding emotional vocabulary
• Introducing calming strategies
• Pupils learning how to press pause and regulate emotions

Term 3 – Applying the skills

• Pupils using strategies more independently
• Staff feeling more confident supporting emotional moments
• Shared language appearing across classrooms, playgrounds and conversations with parents

The goal is steady cultural change across the whole school, rather than a quick short-term intervention.

BOUNCE lessons usually sit within existing PSHE curriculum time, typically one lesson per week or fortnight depending on the school timetable.

Many schools find that there is significant overlap between BOUNCE and key PSHE themes, particularly around emotions, relationships, wellbeing and decision-making. Because of this, schools often swap or integrate some existing PSHE lessons with BOUNCE lessons, rather than adding additional curriculum time.

What BOUNCE adds is a deeper layer of understanding about emotions, the brain and emotional regulation, along with practical strategies that pupils can use in real-life situations.

Importantly, many of the most powerful elements of BOUNCE happen outside formal lessons, through the shared language staff use with pupils during everyday moments across the school day.

Parents are an important part of creating a shared language between home and school.

Schools often introduce the programme to parents through:

• parenting scripts
• newsletters or short parent guides
• parent information sessions
• short videos explaining key ideas

This helps parents understand the language children are hearing at school and use similar approaches at home.

Yes. Many of the ideas within BOUNCE — such as pausing, noticing feelings and using calming strategies — are just as helpful for adults as they are for children.

Schools often find that the shared language helps staff:

• feel more confident responding to children’s emotions
• manage challenging situations more calmly
• supporting parents with their concerns
• reflect on their own emotional wellbeing during busy school days

No specialist qualifications are required.

BOUNCE has been written by clinical psychologists and child mental health specialists, but it is designed so that teachers and school staff can deliver it confidently after the initial training.

Resources are clear, practical and designed for everyday classroom use.

Schools often notice changes such as:

• pupils becoming better at naming and understanding feelings
• fewer emotional escalations
• improved problem-solving between pupils
• greater staff confidence when supporting children

Many schools also report improvements in school culture, relationships and emotional wellbeing across the whole community.

If you would like to explore whether BOUNCE could work in your school, the best first step is usually a short conversation.

We are very happy to talk through:

• your current wellbeing provision
• the needs of your pupils and staff
• practical ways to introduce the programme

There is no obligation — just an opportunity to explore whether the approach feels like a good fit for your school. Email us on [email protected] to book a time with either Dr Kate or Dr Sarah. 

Schools receive access to a range of structured resources and guidance to support implementation after the initial training.

These include:

• lesson plans and classroom resources
• visual materials to support shared language across the school
• guidance for staff on responding to emotional moments
• resources that help introduce the approach to parents

Many schools also choose to add follow-up training, leadership sessions or parent workshops to deepen and embed the approach over time.