The Importance of Mental Health Support & Wellbeing for Primary School Children

by Bradley Lavagna-Slater, Headteacher, Wilmslow Prep

Achild’s wellbeing is crucial to their learning and social development and at Wilmslow Preparatory School we do our very best to offer children a positive start in life.

There are many factors that make up overall wellbeing and we structure our education and pastoral care to help children develop into happy, healthy, and successful adults.

Emotional and Mental Wellbeing

It is not always easy for children to communicate their emotions, stresses, or issues with self-esteem. It is imperative that parents and educational institutions have measures in place to create an environment where open honest conversations occur organically between pupils, and with staff members and parents.

Such is the importance we place on this is that we have a dedicated Mental Health Co-ordinator who oversees all aspects of pupil (and staff) wellbeing.

We raise awareness of the importance of mental health support by participating in World Mental Health Day. This year we encouraged staff and pupils to come into school wearing a yellow accessory to embrace the theme of ‘Stand Out and Show Up’. It is imperative that we teach children about the importance of their mental health and help to remove any stigma that might be attached to needing support.

Worry Boxes in each classroom are there for pupils to leave ‘worry notes’ about things they are concerned about – after all, a problem shared is a problem halved. Children can often find it difficult to initiate a conversation, and these worry notes help to get around this.

Each class has a ‘mood thermometer’, used daily by every class to assess everyone’s mood each day. The class ‘temperature’ is taken in the morning and again at home time to see if they are feeling better.

Social Wellbeing

Keeping with the theme of kindness, we participate every year in Anti-Bullying Week. The theme last year was ‘Make a Noise about Bullying’, which highlighted our collective aim to come together to show loud support for those who need it and stop bullying.

It is imperative that we teach children about the importance of their mental health, and remove any stigma that might be attached to needing support

We are rightly proud of our ‘Buddy’ system which sees some Prep 6 pupils take on the role of buddies as part of their ambassador role. We even have a playground Buddy Bench, sponsored by DHL Supply Chain. This is a place where a child can sit if they feel they need a friend.

The bench has an inscription; ‘we sit, we chat and ask each other questions, we leave as friends with all good intentions.’ It has been instrumental in forging friendships and creating an open friendly atmosphere in the playground where kindness is the watchword.

We use anti-bullying week to show the importance of kindness in our everyday activities throughout the week, holding discussions during lessons and assemblies, as well as incorporating the theme into activities in drama, art and comprehension. We have a display of these works in the School as a constant reminder to pupils that their kindness makes a difference to each other and to us.

Physical Wellbeing

Physical wellbeing is one of the more visible aspects of overall health. Helping children learn how to take care of their physical bodies early on gives them the tools that they need to carry good habits into adulthood. We provide balanced meals and educate our pupils on the role of diet in their overall wellbeing, and our pupils take part in a wide range of different sports and activities, including athletics and crosscountry, a variety of ball and racket sports and other pursuits like archery, judo, yoga and dance.

Helping children learn how to take care of their physical bodies early on gives them the tools that they need to carry good habits into adulthood

A wide breadth of options maximises the chance of children discovering a type of movement that they really enjoy. Physically fit and active children tend to be more at ease socially and perform better academically. Sports and physical activity can be an important form of expression for children, as well as a way to bond with their peers.

As early educators we have an immense privilege in helping to shape the experiences of the next generation of young people.

Working in concert with parents and external organisations we create an environment where expectations are high, and our pupils are happy and confident in their ability to meet those expectations. Each child is allowed to grow and shine in their own way, while building friendships and relationships that could last a lifetime.

↑ Odd Socks help teach children about individuality during Anti-Bullying Week

Wilmslow Prep has had an excellent reputation for over 112 years, if you want to find out why, please visit our website: wilmslowprep.co.uk

↓ Headteacher Bradley Lavagna-Slater, pictured below, takes pride in helping teach wellbeing in all its forms to the pupils at the excellent Wilsmlow Prep