In this article, Suzanne O’Connell looks at what a forced marriage is, how it happens and what schools might do about it.

Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is illegal in the UK but may still be carried out on school-age girls. Suzanne O’Connell summarises the risks associated with these procedures and gives tips for identifying pupils who may be at risk.

The new ‘Keeping children safe in education’ guidance is an important document for all school staff to be aware of. In this article, John Viner looks more closely at the role of the attendance officer, particularly when it comes to more vulnerable students.

Pupils with Down Syndrome (DS) can benefit from being in a mainstream classroom, as can the children around them. Rosie Eachus gives ideas on helping children with Down Syndrome in the classroom.

Many schools now have students who identify with the opposite sex that they were assigned at birth. Sam Garner gives a brief overview of what schools can do to support students.

Children and young people with SEN may need extra help and provision to help them understand the rules around safeguarding in school. In this article, Suzanne O’Connell describes the policies and plans that settings should have in place.

Dr Suzanne O’Connell looks at the worrying problem of eating disorders in schools.

Dr Suzanne O’Connell looks at the growing problem of self-harm amongst primary age children.

Children who have a parent in prison are a hidden group. The experience can have a profound effect with many implications that schools may not be aware of. In this article, Neera Sharma, policy adviser at Barnardo’s, provides some ideas that schools can implement.

Having autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) can make school a challenging place to be. In some cases this impacts on attendance, with pupils preferring not to come to school at all. Natalie Packer explains what the condition is and the support schools can provide.