Primary school lessons to focus on mental health

Kelly Roberts said East Hunsbury Primary School has changed some lessons to increase its focus on mental health and wellbeing

A primary school said it would focus more on pupils' mental health during its PSHE lessons due to concerns that children had growing emotional needs, especially after the Covid pandemic.

East Hunsbury Primary School in Northampton has redesigned its Personal, Social, Health and Economic teaching with more emphasis on mental resilience and self-care.

PSHE coordinator, Kelly Roberts, said: "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."

The plans followed feedback from pupils and parents, the school said.

East Hunsbury Primary School made the changes after noticing children were returning to class after Covid with new mental health needs

Ms Roberts said: "The purpose is to support the children's mental health and give them strategies for positive mental fitness."

One of the school's other initiatives is a Kindness Ambassador programme, where older pupils make sure everyone feels included during break times.

Eden-Mae, an ambassador in Year Six, said: "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, added: "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."

The UK Covid-19 Inquiry is due to hear evidence around the impact of the pandemic on children from 29 September to 23 October.