We’ve had a ‘Brain Wave’

Clarence High School has been awarded a grant in excess of £9,000 by the Awards for All Scheme run by the Big Lottery.
The scheme funds projects which address the issues, needs and aspirations of local communities and people. The scheme covers a wide range of community projects aimed at developing skills, improving health, revitalising the local environment and enabling people to become more active citizens.
The principal of Clarence High School, Paul Boulton said: “We are delighted to receive this award and both students and staff are keen to start using the new programmes.
“Staff at Clarence High School and children’s home based in Formby put a ‘Brain Wave’ proposal together that would help to improve emotional, mental and physical health by offering computer based programmes that relax and reduce stress to the students.
“The programmes can be used for both adults and children who are at risk of and experiencing mental health problems, social and emotional problems and those who may have no obvious difficulties but do give rise to concern.
“The programmes are computer bio feedback programmes called Heartmath – emwave. The programmes enable individuals to learn new techniques for managing stress, reducing anger, depression and anxiety and build resilience so individuals enjoy life more.
“The teaching staff will deliver the programmes to individual students at Clarence High school. As the programme is computer based it can be delivered during the school day and in the case of the children who live on site the programme can be used after school and during the weekends.
“Each programme will be individually tailored to meet the needs of the student. Heartmath emwave clinical studies have dramatically demonstrated the critical link between emotion, heart function and cognitive performance.
“When we are internally self – managed – feeling balanced and in control we make our greatest contribution, we act not react, we think creatively, we communicate clearly, we manage well under pressure.
“The technology has games on it where the user can only complete the game using a breathing technique, this really appeals to younger people and helps to engage them to take part and complete the activity.”