A Cheshire Primary School is leading the way in supporting pupils’ mental health and wellbeing during the pandemic, using digital technology.
Excalibur Primary School in Alsager was one of the first schools in the country to sign up to Discovery Education Health and Relationships – a new digital PSHE programme which helps pupils to learn about mental health and cope with change.
Designed to help teachers deliver the new Relationships and Health Education (RHE) curriculum, the programme also teaches children about the importance of healthy and happy friendships and different types of families. Child-led videos feature children talking about key topics while role play activities help pupils to explore issues that affect their lives.
Excalibur Primary School is using Health and Relationships across the school and Assistant Headteacher Daniel Hancock says it’s having a positive impact on pupil wellbeing.
“We’re always looking for ways to allow children to express themselves and support their mental health. It’s great to have a resource which enables us to do this. Our pupils love the digital content and are more engaged with RHE than ever before.”
One of the key topics the programme explores is how to stay healthy physically and mentally. Teachers at Excalibur say that it’s given children new confidence to talk about their emotions.
“Health and Relationships encourages children to talk about their feelings. The resources are also helping them to learn how to cope with change and friendship issues. Our pupils love watching the child-led videos because they can relate to what they see.”
Looking ahead, Health and Relationships will continue to be at the centre of Excalibur’s wellbeing programme.
“It’s never been more important for schools to support children’s mental health. Anything that allows children to talk about their feelings can only be a good thing. We’re really pleased with Health and Relationships and our pupils love it. It’s helped us to make wellbeing a whole school priority.”
Discovery Education is providing schools with no-cost access to Health and Relationships until 31st October 2021. Schools are encouraged to register here:
