Estimates suggest that there is at least one bereaved student in every classroom.
Grief can be overwhelming for a young person, and the impact of bereavement during education is all too real. Despite this, bereavement training is not mandatory for educators.
Too often, decisions are made for bereaved students without their input. Ask Me: Education is about changing that, giving back a sense of choice and control in a time when both feel lost, for grieving young people.
Education matters
The impact of bereavement on learning is profound. Research shows that young people who lose a parent often achieve lower GCSE results, are more likely to leave school without qualifications, and can experience social isolation, bullying, and increased truancy or exclusion.
A recent survey of more than 300 bereaved students aged eight to 25 highlighted:
- 72% said they did not feel adequately supported during their education
- 79% rated the support they received five or less out of 10
- 72% said they were never asked what kind of support would help them
Ask Me: Education
Winston’s Wish, the UK’s first children and young people’s bereavement charity, has listened closely to the voices of grieving students. Together, they have launched Ask Me: Education, a new campaign designed to transform how education settings respond to bereavement.
Until now, many education settings have relied on standardised bereavement policies, utilising a one-size-fits-all approach instead of allowing each bereaved student to express what they need.
Lucy, who helped to create the campaign comments, “The day after my Dad’s funeral, I hadn’t done my maths homework that was due that day, and was given a detention for not doing it. I felt angry and unheard.”
Ask Me: Education puts young people at the centre. Its message is simple but powerful: ask bereaved students what they need.
A commitment to compassion
The campaign invites educators to sign the Ask Me: Education Manifesto, a six-point pledge to listen with empathy, tailor support to individual needs, and ensure every grieving student feels heard by implementing the Bereavement Plan.
The Ask Me: Education Bereavement Plan provides step-by-step guidance on creating personalised support with the student involved. Winston’s Wish offers resources and exclusive training opportunities to help educators implement the Ask Me: Education initiative.
Join the growing community of professionals listening to bereaved students across the UK.
