Body, Mind & Soul

Everyone wants the best for their children. And with such a focus on mental health, it's time for a shift in priorities at school. It's no longer enough to simply look at the best academic achievements, education must also be about enabling pupils to flourish. It begins in primary school.

If children are given the building blocks of life, then they have the ability to become the most that they can and want to be. And this should be reflected upon not just at home but also at school. Staff, children and teachers should be working together as one ‘family’ to focus on the child and what is right for them.

First and foremost, they need a positive, safe environment in which to grow and flourish. It is then our role, as carers and parents, to provide them with the resourcefulness and resilience to deal with whatever the world throws their way.

The latest statistics highlight that one in ten children today has a mental health issue. That could be depression, anxiety, behavioral conduct or an eating disorder, for example. It could be a direct response to events, or something learned over a longer period of time but it remains a staggering figure.

Positive mental health starts in primary education, those early building blocks that are equipping our children with essential life skills and knowledge. It is a crucial part of a curriculum, underpinning all other aspects. It most definitely, should not be thought of as an add-on.

Here at The Firs Independent Primary School, the individual child is at the centre of all we do. We get to know the child as an unique individual. Every child has a single page profile created when the arrive with us. This evolves as they grow with us but it includes statements about what things people like and admire about them, what makes them happy and how they like to be supported. It is such a powerful activity.

Everyone is different and in knowing our children we can celebrate their individuality and provide the appropriate support. Most importantly, it gives them a voice so that we can recognise what constitutes a good day for them and add that bespoke element to their curriculum. For example, some children wanted a meet and greet each morning, some wanted music playing at the start of the day and some simply wanted to come in quietly, grab a book and begin their day with us.

Furthermore, we can build positive relationships with the members of staff best suited to each individual’s needs, based on their preferences and how best they respond.

Then we can then help educate them, academically and emotionally, providing them with strategies to solve the latest maths problem as well as emotional tools to use when things go wrong.

There’s no arguing that mental wellbeing goes hand-in-hand with physical activities and we are proud to have been given a Platinum Sports Award in recognition of our commitment to physical health. Pupils love our Forest School curriculum as well, which contributes to their personal, social and emotional health quotients.

Furthermore, we offer a freshly prepared on the premises balanced diet offering main and lighter meal options, so that children have the right amount of fuel and energy throughout the day.

We have only been able to deliver this through constant learning and listening. As adults we are always learning from each other, but we learn so much from listening to the children. If you give them the voice, they will come up with some fantastic ideas that you would never have thought of.

Mental wellbeing should be embraced on the curriculum. We get one chance to educate our little individuals and provide them with both the academic and non-academic foundations, in equal importance, that will enable them to flourish as well-rounded bigger individuals in life.