PUPILS from Westbury Leigh Primary School have been celebrating Mental Health Awareness Week and venturing outside in the school grounds, Forest School, farm and garden ‘connecting with nature’.
Headteacher, Debbie Grimsey explains, “At Westbury Leigh Primary School we hold the health, wellbeing and personal development of the children in our care amongst our highest priorities. It is a priority that arises both out of the responsibility we have for our children’s development as whole and rounded individuals, and out of recognition that physical and emotional health forms the essential foundation for successful learning.”
As part of the whole school drive on wellbeing, the children have been learning about ways to manage their own wellbeing and how this can support resilience and build optimism. Miss Taz Cole, PSHE lead said, “We have been reflecting across the school about what mental health is and how it made up of our thoughts, feelings, moods and behaviours. We have learnt that it is important that our bodies need good mental health, just like we need good physical health.”
In Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) the children have been out and about exploring and connecting with nature. Archie said, “Playing outside makes me happy, you can build things,” and Zoe added “Being outside makes me happy”.
The school adds, “Other classes have been looking after the school farm, helping to plant trees and gardening. Connecting with nature is really important in our school and something we believe brings out the best in our children.”
