Why Grief and Loss Must Be Part of the National Curriculum

Children are left to navigate the most painful parts of life with no structured guidance

Grief is a universal experience - one that touches every child at some point in their lives, whether through the death of a loved one, parental separation, serious illness, or even the loss of a pet. And yet, our national curriculum remains silent on this most human of experiences.

While children are taught algebra and adverbs, many are left to navigate the most painful parts of life with no structured guidance, no emotional roadmap, and often, no support at all. It’s time this changed.

In December 2024, Parliament held a debate sparked by a public petition calling for the inclusion of death, dying, and bereavement education in the national curriculum. The response, published in March 2025, acknowledged the value of such content - yet since then, no firm action has been taken.

The Department for Education has made encouraging statements, but without a clear strategy or implementation plan, children across the UK are still left without the tools they need to make sense of loss.

At Grief Information 4 Teachers and Services Ltd, we see the impact of this gap every day. That’s why we created the Lessons in Loss programme - a Creative Catalyst Grant-winning initiative designed to bring grief literacy to schools, homes, and community settings.

Our illustrated journals support children through a range of experiences: not only bereavement, but also when parents separate, when someone they love is seriously or terminally ill, or when a beloved pet dies. Each journal is supported by guidance for adults, training for professionals, and practical care packages to offer emotional reassurance.

Teachers and support staff are often the first adults outside the family to notice when something is wrong - and yet, many feel unprepared to handle conversations about grief. That’s not surprising. Without training, guidance, or curriculum frameworks, educators are left to manage these complex moments alone.

Our programme was developed in direct response to this gap. It’s trauma-sensitive, developmentally appropriate, and built on current best practice in child development and grief support.

It is deeply concerning that, while third-sector organisations and small teams like ours are working tirelessly to provide these resources, government policy still lags behind. Every child deserves access to grief education. Not just those in high-performing schools or lucky enough to have a dedicated pastoral lead - but all children, in all schools, across all communities.

Introducing grief and loss into the curriculum doesn’t mean delivering bleak or overwhelming lessons. It means giving children the language to express themselves. It means showing them that loss is part of life, that emotions are valid, and that they are not alone. It is about preparing them, not scaring them.

More than anything, it is about removing the silence. When children are left to fill in the blanks, they often draw the wrong conclusions - believing they are to blame, that grief must be hidden, or that asking questions is wrong. With the right support, children can process loss in healthy ways and grow into emotionally literate, compassionate adults.

If we want to build resilience in the next generation, we must start by facing life’s most difficult experiences, not avoiding them. Schools are in a unique position to lead this shift, but they need national backing, proper training, and access to high-quality resources.

Grief belongs in the curriculum. And until that happens, organisations like ours will continue to do the work - but we urge policymakers to stop placing the responsibility on individuals and step up with system-wide change.

About Deb

Deb Brown is the Director -of Grief Information 4 Teachers and Services Ltd, and author of the 'Lessons in Loss' journal series. The program provides vital insights on assisting children through grief and loss. You can learn more about Deb here.