Teach pupils at primary and secondary level about sleep
Learning about sleep maximises each child’s potential and supports a happier, healthier school experience. Sound Sleep provides educators with the skills and the tools to improve student behaviour, focus, attendance, and academic success by supporting better sleep.
Teaching about sleep enhances interdisciplinary learning: Sleep’s fundamental ties to wellbeing integrate seamlessly into wider conversations on managing health, wellness, and emotional resilience.
An evaluation project in 2021 found:
• 62% of trainees agreed pupils’ attention in class improved as a result of the Sound Sleep programme
• 94% of delegates felt that Sound Sleep was a necessary addition to the curriculum, highlighting the value of sleep education in supporting learning and wellbeing
Whatever your role, if you want to introduce sleep education to your pupils and enable them to thrive, Sound Sleep is a valuable resource your school cannot do without.
What you will learn
What are the learning objectives of this course?
Sound Sleep training provides delegates with a comprehensive understanding of sleep, regardless of their current level.
During this training course, you will:
- Gain a thorough knowledge of sleep processes
- Develop a comprehensive knowledge of sleep hygiene
- Receive an introduction to the Sound Sleep teaching resources
- Understand how to teach school pupils about the importance of sleep for their health and wellbeing
- Be able to provide sleep awareness sessions for other staff and parents.
What are the expected outcomes?
Upon completion of the course, you will:
- Understand the physiology and psychology of sleep – sleep patterns and processes.
- Know about the different types of sleep problems and disorders that are common in children or adolescents.
- Be able to teach school pupils and/or other school staff about the processes of sleep and the importance of it for their health and wellbeing.
- Be able to teach school pupils and/or other school staff about good sleep hygiene and support students in the changes and management of their sleep routine.
If you work closely with a child or family, our Sleep Awareness course (designed for typically developing children) or Sleep Counselling (for children with additional support needs) may be more appropriate for your role.
Sound Sleep training is structured around resource sharing in school settings:
- Sound Sleep is delivered through engaging, hands-on workshops
- Training can be conducted in 4 hours of training over two twilight sessions
- Access to a comprehensive pack of resources, such as lesson plans and presentations to enable professionals working in schools to implement sleep lessons in primary or secondary schools
After the course
Our curriculum-based classroom resources and lesson plans mean you can begin teaching right away.
The programme includes a teaching resource pack with tools to put sleep education into practice. It includes everything necessary to deliver engaging, ready-to-use lessons, eliminating the need to spend hours planning or creating content from scratch. This means you can focus on what matters most: Supporting your pupils.
Course FAQs
How does Sound Sleep integrate into the curriculum
Sound Sleep is a UK and Ireland programme. Our learning resources are transferable across curricula and designed to help you deliver sleep education no matter where you are.
England: Sleep education integrates with the National Curriculum. Sound Sleep supports learners’ physical health, mental wellbeing, and personal development. The programme integrates with the subject of Personal, Social, Health, and Economic education.
Scotland: Sleep education supports the Curriculum for Excellence. Sound Sleep promotes a well-rounded education fostering improved physical, mental, and emotional health. The programme connects with curricular areas of Health and Wellbeing, Personal and Social Development, and Science.
Wales: Sleep education aligns with the Curriculum for Wales. Sound Sleep supports the Health and Wellbeing Area of Learning Excellence (AoLE), offering opportunities to explore physical and mental health.
Northern Ireland: Sleep education integrates with the Curriculum for Northern Ireland (CNI). Sound Sleep explores mental, physical, and emotional health and wellbeing, supporting the subject of Personal Health, a key component of Learning for Life and Work (LLW).
Republic of Ireland: Sleep education aligns with the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) framework in SPHE, supporting personal health and wellbeing.
What age group is Sound Sleep intended for?
Sound Sleep is suitable for primary and secondary-level education.
Within Sound Sleep, we cater to different age groups to ensure the content is age-appropriate and meaningful. Upon completion, you will receive a teaching resource pack for either primary school or secondary school.
If you wish to purchase the additional resources, you may do so for an additional £100.
Is this course accredited?
Sound Sleep is not currently accredited. On completing the course, you will receive a digital certificate, evidencing that you have met Sleep Action’s rigorous training standards.
Can I prescribe melatonin?
Sleep Action training does not qualify you as an independent or supplementary prescriber, and it does not allow you to prescribe melatonin.
Our interventions are built to support an individual’s natural sleep routines and behaviours without relying on pharmaceutical melatonin. Through gentle education and proven cognitive behavioural management techniques, we help create lasting sleep habits that encourage the body’s own melatonin production.
We recognise that some service users may still require pharmaceutical melatonin. Our approach has seen decades of successes helping establish healthy sleep routines, boosting the body’s natural melatonin production, often removing the need for the prescription altogether.
How many CPD hours is it worth?
This course includes 4 hours of contact time.
Should educators teach pupils about sleep?
Educators are in a unique position to help learners understand the significance of sleep and empower them to make positive choices that enhance their overall development. As a trusted figure, teachers can inspire students to prioritise their health and wellbeing.
Have you trained others in my sector/field?
We are proud to have trained educators across the UK and Ireland, creating a strong and supportive community of professionals.
Your school or local council may be able to connect you with others in your area who have completed Sound Sleep training.
Is this training aligned with the Solihull Approach?
Sleep Action training is built on the principles of the Solihull Approach, especially when working with parents and caregivers to address sleep-related challenges in children and young people.
Our training considers family relationships, emotional needs, and the unique context of each child. Sound Sleep emphasises a tailored, compassionate approach, helping educators work in partnership with children and young people to build strategies that truly fit their lives.
Technical requirements
Training can take place either online or in person. For both options, access to a computer is required to complete the self-led learning section of the course before attending the workshops.
If you are attending an online course, you will require a device connected to the internet with a microphone and camera. Workshops are interactive, and your full participation is vital to learning, so a quiet space free of distractions is recommended.
If you’re attending an in-person course, you will need to travel to the venue. Our team will share all the details you need in advance, including the location, catering arrangements, and any parking available.
If you need any additional support to take part, our training team are happy to help. Email training@sleepaction.org and they will help facilitate any special provisions to make your learning experience as accessible as possible.
What is your Sound Sleep training course cancellation policy?
For open courses, please review our cancellation policy which is available here.
If you no longer wish to proceed with a commissioned course, please contact us immediately at training@sleepaction.org.Â
Course details
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Stuart
Teacher
Stuart's story
Why Stuart trained with Sleep Action
- Stuart’s PSE classes frequently experienced disruptions due to challenging behaviours, such as impulsivity and difficulties regulating emotions
- Regular disruptions had knock-on effects on other pupils, who became frustrated and anxious about attending his lessons
- Recognising these issues as signs of poor sleep, Stuart sought teaching resources to support pupil sleep
How it transformed Stuart's practice
Stuart’s Sound Sleep training has allowed him to incorporate sleep education into his PSE lessons, equipping pupils with practical tools to establish calming bedtime routines.
Since adopting this approach, he has observed reduced disruptive behaviour, as pupils are now better rested and more emotionally resilient. Stuart’s enhanced expertise has boosted classroom morale, making his lessons ones that pupils are excited to attend, paving the way for improved academic attainment and a happier school environment.
Sound Sleep in action
By teaching students to adopt simple strategies for improving sleep into their daily routines, you’ll notice a real difference as they arrive alert and engaged.
Funding available
Government funding opportunities that seek to reduce the attainment gap between disadvantaged children and their peers may be available to help bring Sound Sleep to your school. Read our funding guides:
Making Sleep a Core Part of Scotland’s Curriculum
Scotland is a nation that values education, equity and wellbeing. By including sleep in the curriculum, we take a powerful step towards ensuring every child and young person can reach their full potential.
We urge decision-makers to act now. It’s time to bring sleep into the classroom, because there is no health and wellbeing without sleep.
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