Children come to school with more than the bags on their back. Discussing grief support in Irish schools

Abstract

The quote ‘Children come to school with more than the bags on their back’ (Lynam, 2015) encapsulates the profound reality that pupils bring their life experiences, including grief, into the classroom. Grief remains a sensitive and often misunderstood topic in schools, creating additional hurdles for pupils. Educators play a vital role in creating a nurturing school environment that provides empathy and support through understanding and compassion, within appropriate boundaries.