There are countless questions for schools to consider in the wake of Covid-19 closures, but perhaps chief among them is how to look after their students’ mental health in this strange time. 

The link between creativity and improved mental health is now well established, so could an increased focus on this area be key to moving forward with wellbeing?

In this podcast, Tes speaks to two experts to get an in-depth analysis of the topic.

Julia Wisbey is a senior leader and director of performance at Admiral Lord Nelson secondary school in Portsmouth (which was named creative school of the year at the 2019 TES awards, and was the first school in the country to receive the Artsmark platinum award twice). 

She’s joined by Wendy Cobb; a senior lecturer in the school of Early Years and Primary Initial Teacher Education at Canterbury Christ Church University, with a particular focus on behaviour, working with parents and emotional health. 

In this lively, wide-ranging discussion they explore issues including:

• How recent education trends have affected mental health
• What creative thinking really looks like (and how it can protect young people)
• The difficultly of combining wellbeing and accountability 
• How a creative approach to Covid-19 has benefitted lots of schools

This podcast is sponsored by Artsmark.