How having an interest makes you more confident

Hello everyone! Hope you're all having a good day so far.

I've also just realised as I'm typing this post... We're at the halfway point of 2025 already! It's just flown by so quick!😱

Anyway, I've decided to make this blogpost based on something else that I have experienced during my time working at the SEMH school. Every single kid at that school had at least 1 or 2 special interests that made them more confident at being who they are, and how they are not afraid to show that confident & bright side of their personality to others.

Obviously, I will not be naming any names of the pupils that I have witnessed tell or showcased their special interests to me to protect their identity, but the least I can do is be specific about going into their special interests in detail on here.

There was a boy in my Y11 class, who was very fascinated into art. There was even a large, suitcase size art portfolio where all of his artwork is stashed. Every piece of artwork was inspired by the artists that he had learned about. I've seen for myself how more confident he becomes in himself, as he appreciates how much I say how his artwork is very inspirational, and how it gives him a sense of pride; To make him want to do so well in life.

There was another boy in my Y11 class, who has very in-dept knowledge of theme parks & rollercoasters. He can tell me every single fact & trivia about any rollercoaster from across the world! Again, the more I let him share his wide knowledge of theme parks & rollercoasters, the more confident he feels interacting in class, as this gives him a sense of pride.

In some cases, these interests CAN lead to you gaining a job/career in those industries, because there is a certain saying that goes along the lines of: "Choose a job you love, then you'll never have to work a day in your life." Meaning, you thrive so much with doing something you're wholeheartedly interested in, that it takes away the worry of having to apply to any job just for the sake of HAVING to work somewhere, or to show everyone you do actually work to people please them.

I hope this post was helpful to anyone who can relate as well. 

I do plan on making more blog posts next month, as I'll have some days free where I've got nothing else "out of work related" planned.

How having structure & consistency benefits SEMH pupils

Hello everyone! Hope you've all been doing okay.

Since my my last post on here, I've been keeping busy with my weekday job in an SEMH school. However, as of the 23rd of May, I no longer work at the school due to no longer being needed for the final term. (I was working in the Y11's class, but they are on study leave now, and will be leaving for good in 2 weeks time) And since I'm now currently off work until my agency calls me in to somewhere else, I've got some time to be productive on here.

As the above title states, I want to talk about structure & consistency benefitting SEMH pupils.

There are 2 reasons for this post: Firstly, there has been some major changes to the school. Secondly, I've seen the positive impact those changes have had on the pupils & their behaviour.

When the school opened up after the Christmas break (8th of January), it had marked the start of long & difficult journey. That journey was to simply make the school into a better learning environment & as well as a safe environment for the pupils.

There were 4 minor changes that took place: New uniform, English & Maths lessons every morning & addressing the staff as "sir" or "ms". We even introduced something called "isolation" (IL for short) which is where pupils will spend half a day or a full day in a separate room to do their work. The intention of this is to help the pupils reflect on their behaviour. I'm delighted to say that it was a success! Or at least for most part.

On the 25th of February, there were 2 more changes to the school curriculum, and they were both major ones... A FULL timetable of lessons & the new warning system. The intention of the warning system is to reduce the pupils' behaviour, and is also made up of 3 warnings. If a pupil gets a warning 3, they go to the inclusion hub, and they have to do a 10min detention. Failing that, then it's an IL the following day for the morning. If not, then it's an IL the WHOLE day. Failing THAT, then it leads to a suspension.

During the 5 months that I've been a part of the new changes journey, I've seen how much more settled & calmer the pupils have been! As a result, there has been a reduced number of behavioural incidents, This is why having the consistent structure & routine really helps SEMH pupils to feel more secure in a learning environment, as they know that we care about their education, as well as their mental wellbeing.

Time travelling back to the 25th of November (when I had first started working at the school), I honestly couldn't believe how dysfunctional it was back then, where there were hardly any lessons going on, no timetable structure & there were behaviour incidents happening every single day. Sometimes even a few times a day. It was just insane. I couldn't even imagine how unsettled those pupils must have been feeling back then without the consistent structure & routine. They were scared, anxious & dysregulated (a cliché from that school). Ofsted even gave the school an "inadequate" rating, due to poor leadership & management.

To this day, yes, there will still be some pupil dysregulations, but that doesn't put a small dent on all of the positive progress the school have been making. If anything, the school is only getting better every single day! I'm also optimistic enough that Ofsted will give them a much better rating.

As a youth worker, it really makes me heart warmed to see vulnerable young people thrive in life. Especially those with a complicated background.