We are proud to share that Lockyer’s Middle School has been officially accredited with the Pupil Resilience Award (GOLD)!  Resilience is deeply woven into our core values of Ambition, Courage, and Respect. Across our school community, we support our pupils in developing the emotional, digital, and personal tools they need to flourish: 

• Everyday Language: Using tools like the "Power of Yet" to encourage perseverance.  

• Targeted Support: Providing ELSA provision, restorative practice, and wellbeing support to build confidence and self-belief.  

• Enrichment & Life Skills: Encouraging growth through residential trips, student leadership, public speaking, digital safety, and practical financial education. 

 "Lockyer's Middle School has embedded resilience across all aspects of school life... learners have developed greater confidence, perseverance, compassion for others, and self-belief." - Validation Report June 2026

Resilience in Action: Everyday Life at Our School

Here is what resilience looks like in our classrooms, corridors, and school ground every day:

The "Power of Yet"

In our classrooms, our teachers actively train children to add one small, transformative word: "Yet." By framing learning as an ongoing process, "I can't do this yet" turns frustration into motivation, reminding pupils that mastery comes with time, practice, and persistence.

Celebrating Effort and Growth

We place equal value on the journey as we do on the destination. Our recognition boards, weekly assemblies, and pupil praise systems deliberately highlight perseverance, courage, and a growth mindset. We celebrate the child who kept trying after a setback just as enthusiastically as the one who achieved a top mark.

Dedicated Wellbeing & Pastoral Support

Building resilient minds means providing a strong safety net when challenges arise. We support our pupils through targeted wellbeing initiatives, including:

• ELSA Support: Dedicated Emotional Literacy Support Assistants who help children navigate anxiety, self-esteem, and change.

• Restorative Practice: Structured support to help pupils resolve conflicts, repair relationships, and develop deep empathy for others.

• 1-to-1 Pastoral Guidance: Tailored individual support to help pupils manage friendships, emotional regulation, and personal challenges.

How Parents Can Support Resilience at Home

Partnering with parents is essential to ensuring these habits extend beyond the school gates. Here are three simple, impactful ways you can reinforce resilience at home:

1. Praise the Effort, Not Just the Result

Shift praise away from fixed traits like "You're so clever!" and focus instead on the strategy and effort used: "I'm so proud of how hard you tried with that problem," or "Look how much progress you made by sticking with it." This helps children understand that abilities grow through dedication.

2. Frame Setbacks as Learning Opportunities

When things go wrong, normalise the experience. Ask your child questions like: "What did this mistake teach you?" or "What could we try differently next time?" Reframing failures as valuable feedback builds emotional strength and reduces the fear of trying new things.

3. Encourage Digital Resilience & Balance

Help your child build healthy habits online by maintaining an open dialogue about digital safety. Encourage them to step back from screens when feeling overwhelmed, talk to you about anything confusing or upsetting they see online, and make thoughtful, safe choices in digital spaces.

 

Please click on the link below to read more about building resilience in children:

Building resilience in children - Guidance for parents and carers