Working Together
School Partnerships
Children's emotional health does not develop in isolation — it is shaped by families, schools, and the wider digital world.
Alongside my writing and teaching, I work in partnership with secondary schools to better understand how young people experience technology, AI, and emotional pressure in real life. The aim is simple: to ensure that guidance for parents and educators reflects the world children are actually growing up in.
What This Involves
In partnership with schools, this work may include:
- Listening to young people's perspectives
- Understanding emotional challenges linked to digital life
- Exploring what supports emotional safety and regulation
- Identifying where technology helps — and where it adds pressure
Important: No individual child is identified. No personal data is shared publicly. Participation is always guided by school ethics and parental consent.
Why This Matters for Parents
Much advice about technology and mental health is based on adult assumptions, outdated models, or fear-driven narratives. Working directly with schools helps ground guidance in real experience, move beyond restriction-only approaches, and develop emotionally supportive, realistic strategies.
Real Experience
Grounding guidance in the actual world children are growing up in, rather than adult-centred theories.
Beyond Restriction
Moving past simple restriction-only approaches toward a deeper understanding of digital resilience.
Realistic Strategies
Developing supportive strategies that reflect real-life challenges and family connection.
How This Work Is Used
The knowledge gained through school partnerships is an essential part of the evidence base at The Connected Child. These insights directly inform the development of parent workshops, school training sessions, online courses, and future writing. By sharing this learning as a collective resource, we ensure that all guidance remains grounded in the actual experiences of young people today, offering families supportive and realistic strategies that reflect the complexities of the digital world.
What Parents Can Expect
Parents connected to participating schools may be offered:
- Summary insights (not raw data)
- Practical guidance linked to findings
- Opportunities to attend workshops or talks
- Optional resources to support conversations at home
This work is always shared with care, clarity, and context.
Interested in a Partnership?
If you're a school leader interested in exploring a partnership to support student wellbeing and parent education, I'd love to hear from you.
Get in Touch