reFRESH
Introduction
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The reFRESH Programme is a six-week, guided early intervention designed for Key Stage 3 pupils who are at risk of being removed from mainstream lessons due to repeated low-level behaviour issues. Delivered in small groups by designated pastoral or inclusion staff, the programme provides a safe, structured space for pupils to reflect, reset, and build new habits for success in school.
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At the heart of the programme is the reFRESH student workbook — a carefully designed resource that supports each session and helps pupils explore who they are, how they respond to challenges, and what they want for their future. Each pupil receives their own copy, which becomes a personal record of growth, filled with creative tasks, scenario-based activities, weekly check-ins, and goal-setting tools.
Used alongside skilled adult guidance, the workbook encourages pupils to take ownership of their behaviour and begin making more positive, informed choices in school.
A Structured Journey of Reflection and Growth
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The reFRESH programme is carefully sequenced over six weeks, guiding pupils from self-awareness to emotional regulation and lasting behaviour change. Each session focuses on a specific theme — such as self-identity, learning triggers, emotional control, and future goals — gradually moving students from reflection to action in a supportive, structured way.
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A Thoughtfully Sequenced Journey
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Sessions blend guided discussion, creative activities, and practical strategies that pupils can apply in real classroom situations. Weekly check-ins and personal targets help students track their progress and take increasing ownership of their behaviour. Delivered in a calm, non-judgemental environment, the programme gives pupils the tools and space to explore challenges and build a more positive path forward. The final session brings everything together, with a creative task that celebrates each pupil’s growth and captures their reFRESH journey.
reFRESH
Understanding Self, Building Confidence
The journey begins with self-awareness. In Week 1, students are guided through a reflective process to explore who they are, how they feel about school, and what they want to change. It’s not about labels or blame — it’s about identifying what’s getting in the way and setting realistic, student-led goals. Through simple but powerful tools, pupils begin to reconnect with their own potential, laying the groundwork for lasting progress.
Each week, students complete a simple self-reflection check-in, helping them track their progress, notice patterns, and set small goals. This regular routine builds self-awareness and encourages honest, meaningful reflection over time.
Navigating Success Together
Students explore their own patterns, build a toolkit for managing anger and frustration, and learn how to stay in the room, even when things feel tough.
Practical activities help pupils think critically about their own responses and plan new ways of coping.
Improving Behaviour, One Lesson at a Time
Much of a student’s school experience hinges on what happens in the classroom. That’s why Weeks 2 and 3 of reFRESH focus on identifying which lessons feel safe or difficult, what triggers negative behaviour, and what support strategies might help.
Tracking Progress and Celebrating Growth
Halfway through the programme and again at the end, students are encouraged to stop, reflect, and take stock of their journey. Using simple tools like self-assessment checklists, goal ladders, and guided questions, they are invited to notice what has changed — however small. By Week 6, they produce a final piece (a letter, a poster, or a creative project) that captures their progress. This is more than a summary — it’s a moment of pride and proof of what’s possible with the right support.
Personalised Lesson Reflection and Target Setting
A key part of the reFRESH programme is helping pupils understand what’s really happening in their lessons. Using a practical, subject-by-subject reflection tool, students explore which lessons feel positive, which are more challenging, and why. They identify specific barriers — whether it’s the environment, the content, or relationships — and begin to spot patterns in their behaviour.
From this, pupils set small, individualised targets they can try the following week, helping them build ownership, improve classroom engagement, and make meaningful progress over time.
More Than Just an Intervention — A Mindset Shift
reFRESH isn’t a one-off fix. It’s a mindset shift that helps young people understand their behaviour, rebuild their confidence, and reimagine what success at school could look like. With integrated podcast content, mentor conversations, and student voice woven throughout, the programme invites learners to be active participants in their own development.
For schools, it provides a consistent, structured, and compassionate approach to intervention — one that works alongside staff rather than around them.
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By the end of the programme, students will have:
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Explored who they are, how they feel about school, and what influences their behaviour
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Identified which lessons and situations help them thrive, and which ones cause difficulties
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Learned to spot their emotional triggers and use self-regulation strategies when things feel tough
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Reflected on their progress and taken pride in even small steps forward
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Understood how behaviour links to learning, and how learning links to their future
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Created a final piece of work that represents their personal reFRESH journey
Emotional Literacy and Regulation at the Core
Week 5 of the programme tackles one of the most important — and often overlooked — aspects of behaviour: emotional understanding. Students learn to identify the emotions behind their actions and gain insight into how those emotions show up in their bodies. From understanding anxiety to recognising early warning signs of anger, students are taught to name and manage their emotions before they escalate. This leads to more control, more calm, and better decisions in the moment.
