One primary school in East Hunsbury, Northamptonshire, is doing something quite radical. It will put mental health at the heart of its Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) lessons. This project comes in response to an increasing awareness of the emotional needs of children, especially following the emotional devastation caused by the Covid pandemic. The school’s PSHE coordinator, Kelly Roberts, has been instrumental in implementing changes that provide students with essential tools to manage their mental wellbeing.
In recent months, Roberts has seen a marked uptick in the range of emotional needs students are bringing. She explained that a lot of the kids came back to school showing signs of mental health issues.
“We were noticing our children were coming in after Covid with a range of different needs, particularly around mental health. It was really screaming out that it was a gap in the curriculum and something we could help our children with,” said Kelly Roberts.
To support this new focus, the school has introduced a Kindness Ambassador programme, which encourages older pupils to foster inclusivity during break times. In all, this initiative is about making sure every child is seen and heard and respected by their peers.
The programme, along with the improved mental health curriculum, will provide students with a range of preventative strategies to foster positive mental fitness. Roberts sought to impress upon educators just how critical this change is to our educational system.
“Anyone can apply to be one. They go out and make sure everyone is happy and that everyone has someone to play with.”
Polly, from Year Five, is one of the young people who has already started to have her life transformed by these lessons. Giving her own story as an example, Polly illustrated the power of the kindness and self-belief message.
“The purpose is to support the children’s mental health and give them strategies for positive mental fitness,” she explained.
The local primary school has gone to very great lengths to adapt its curriculum. Educators are finally beginning to understand why tackling mental health in our schools is absolutely essential. As more schools recognize the vital role that emotional wellbeing plays in children’s development, initiatives like those at this Northamptonshire primary school may serve as a model for others.
“I’ve learned to be kind to myself and believe in myself. Don’t say mean words, because it can hurt feelings – even to yourself,” Polly stated.
The adjustments made by the primary school reflect a growing awareness among educators of the importance of addressing mental health as part of the educational curriculum. As more schools recognize the vital role that emotional wellbeing plays in children’s development, initiatives like those at this Northamptonshire primary school may serve as a model for others.
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