Liverpool primary school puts pupil wellbeing first

A Liverpool primary school is leading the way in supporting pupils’ mental health and wellbeing during the pandemic, using digital technology.

Broadgreen Primary School in Oakhill Road, Old Swan 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 RSE 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.

Broadgreen is using Health and Relationships as part of a special ‘recovery curriculum’, which helps children adjust to being back at school and supports their wellbeing post lockdown. Suzanne Evans, assistant headteacher, says it’s having a positive impact across the school.

“PSHE has always been a priority for our school”, explained Suzanne. “During the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s become more important than ever. In September, we didn’t know how our pupils had been affected by lockdown, but we wanted to give them the opportunity to talk about their feelings. Having been away from school for six months, we thought they might need help with building positive relationships, reminding about what a good friend is as well as support with healthy eating and better sleep routines. Health and Relationships covers all of these themes.”

Broadgreen Primary School champions diversity, and teachers were pleased to find that this was also reflected in the digital resources.

Suzanne continued: “One of the key aspects of the programme is that it teaches children the importance of diversity and reflects Britain’s diverse communities. As teachers, we are always looking for resources to make sure our lessons are inclusive. It’s great to see lots of different children and types of families and relationships represented in the videos. It’s diverse on every front.”

As pupils progress through this autumn/winter term, Health and Relationships will continue to be at the centre of Broadgreen’s recovery curriculum.

Suzanne added: “Health and Relationships supports teachers and enables children to learn in a way that reflects their lives. It’s great when you find something that you know will make a difference.”

Explore Discovery Education Health and Relationships at: www.discoveryeducation.co.uk/rse

Annual whole-school subscriptions available from £595.

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