School Training – Self-Esteem
Supporting Children and Young People to Increase Self-Esteem
Children and young people today are growing up in an environment where they are constantly exposed to unrealistic standards and comparisons. From unattainable images of beauty online to social media comparisons with friends, influencers and celebrities, many students are struggling with their sense of identity, value and self-worth.
As a result, schools are increasingly seeing pupils who doubt their abilities, struggle with confidence and find it difficult to recognise their own strengths.
At Emotionally Healthy Minds, we support schools to respond confidently and compassionately to these challenges. Our training equips staff with practical strategies and a deeper understanding of children’s emotional needs, helping them to grow pupils’ self-esteem, improve engagement, promote emotional wellbeing and create environments where students feel safer, more supported and more ready to learn.
A UK study of 11,000 young people found a significant decline in wellbeing and self-esteem between the ages of 11 and 14 1.
Why Self-Esteem Matters for Schools
Research shows that 73% of adults say their ‘inner critic’ was formed before the age of 17 2. This highlights the crucial role that schools can play in shaping how children and young people see themselves.
When students develop a healthy sense of self-worth, they are more likely to take risks in learning, cope with challenges and engage positively with school life.
Conversely, low self-esteem can contribute to a range of emotional and behavioural difficulties, including:
- Anxiety and worry
- Reduced resilience
- Disengagement from learning
- Difficulties with behaviour and relationships
- Poor attendance or school avoidance
Our training helps school staff to understand the underlying causes of low self-esteem and provides practical, evidence-informed strategies that can be applied immediately within the classroom and across the wider school environment.
Training Overview:
Full Day Workshop
We offer a comprehensive five-hour training day, ideal for INSET days or whole-school training. During the session, participants will:
- Develop a clear understanding of what self-esteem is and how it develops in children and young people
- Explore the factors that can affect self esteem, including social influences and school experiences
- Reflect on how children and young people may perceive themselves and the world around them
- Learn how to nurture a learning environment and school culture that promotes positive self esteem
- Be introduced to emotion coaching and explore how it can shape supportive responses to students’ emotions
- Learn a range of practical relational strategies to support students experiencing low self esteem
Participants leave the training with a clearer framework for understanding behaviour and emotional responses, along with practical strategies that can be embedded into everyday school practice.
Each participant receives a training pack to take away, with tools, reflections and key strategies.
Our full day training package can be adapted for schools and delivered as a half-day or twilight session for educators.
Grounded in Research and Practice
Our training draws on current research in psychology, child development and neuroscience, alongside extensive experience working with children, families and education professionals.
At the heart of our approach is Emotion Coaching—an evidence-based strategy that supports children to recognise, understand and regulate their emotions. When used consistently across a school, this approach can strengthen relationships, support emotional development and build self esteem.
Who is this for?
Our training is suitable for:
- Teachers and teaching assistants
- SENCOs and inclusion leads
- Pastoral and wellbeing staff
- Senior leaders
- Alternative provision and specialist settings
Also Available
Additional Support Options
We also offer a range of additional sessions that can deepen and extend your team’s learning or reach students and parents directly. Options include:
These sessions can be booked at any time but we also offer a discount for those booked within one month of a training day.
Meet our Schools Training Consultants
Sarah Petherick
Founder and Director
Sarah brings eighteen years of experience in education, complemented by specialist training in counselling and coaching.
She has worked closely with children facing emotional, behavioural and academic challenges, and firmly believes that emotional wellbeing is the foundation for all learning. Sarah is also passionate about supporting schools to embed this ethos into everyday practice.
Known for building strong, trusting connections with families and educators, she offers tailored, compassionate strategies that nurture both emotional health and academic progress, whether in one-to-one sessions or through whole-school approaches.
James Hancock
Schools Team Lead
James brings twenty years of experience in education, having served as a teacher and deputy headteacher.
In his leadership roles, James has championed emotional wellbeing, been a Mental Health Lead, and facilitated the NPQ Leading Teacher Development course. As a Thrive Lead, he has also embedded whole-school approaches to wellbeing.
With a deep understanding of the realities schools face, James ensures our training is grounded in day-to-day practice—offering practical, relevant support that empowers educators to meet the emotional and educational needs of their students.
Let's Talk
If your school would like to feel more confident supporting children with anxiety, we’d love to help. Whether you're looking for whole-staff training or targeted input for students or families, our team is here to support you.
Schools Training FAQs
What types of training do you offer for schools?
We provide tailored training focused on emotional wellbeing, anxiety, self-esteem, resilience and practical Emotion Coaching strategies for all staff. Sessions can be designed for teachers, support staff, leadership teams or whole-school training.
Who delivers the training?
How long are the training sessions?
Can training be delivered remotely?
How do we know the training will benefit our staff and students?
Our training is grounded in the latest research on emotional wellbeing and packed with practical tools that staff can apply right away to support children’s emotional health. Reviews from those who have already taken our training speak volumes about its impact. We can also offer follow-up resources and ongoing support to ensure lasting benefits.
Is the training suitable for all staff?
Can you help us with ongoing support after the training?
Yes, we offer follow-up coaching, consultancy, and refresher sessions to embed the learning and address any new challenges your team faces.
How do we book a training session?
Click here to submit an enquiry and arrange a free video call with James, our Schools Lead. He will discuss your school’s needs and answer any questions you may have.
Bespoke Training Packages
At Emotionally Healthy Minds, we understand that every school is unique. If you have specific needs or focus areas not covered in our standard training, we are happy to create bespoke training packages tailored to your school’s requirements. Whether it’s a particular challenge you’re facing, a deeper dive into a topic, or additional support for a specific group of students, we can craft a training solution that works for you.
Schools Brochure
Empowering Your Whole School to Thrive: Building Emotional Health Through Staff Training and Workshops for Students, Parents and Carers
Download our schools brochure with information about our workshops and staff training.
1. University of Cambridge, November 2022, https://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/most-young-peoples-well-being-falls-sharply-in-first-years-of-secondary-school/
2. Arden University, UK Confidence Index, January 2026, https://arden.ac.uk/knowledge-base/latest-news/uks-first-confidence-index
3. Children’s Commissioner Report: ‘The Big Ambition’ Report, March 2024, pg25, https://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/the-big-ambition/
4. Children’s Commissioner Report: ‘A healthy influence?: Children’s Exposure to Appearance-Changing Products Online, February 2026, pg23, https://assets.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/wpuploads/2026/02/A-Healthy-Influence-.pdf
5. JSNA Blackpool, 2019, https://www.blackpooljsna.org.uk/Developing-Well/Children-and-young-peoples-wellbeing/Children-and-Young-Peoples-Mental-Health.aspx/
