27 Jan Basildon Primary School Puts Pupil Wellbeing First
A Basildon Primary School is leading the way in supporting pupils’ wellbeing during the pandemic, using digital technology.
Lee Chapel Primary School 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 wellbeing 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.
Lee Chapel Primary School is using Health and Relationships across the school and Assistant Headteacher Shiven Chetty says it’s having a positive impact on pupils.
“Supporting pupil wellbeing is a priority for our school. Children have a lot of worries, especially during the pandemic and giving them space to talk and explore their feelings is the best way to support their wellbeing. Health and Relationships helps us to do this.”
During the current lockdown, teachers are using the programme to teach children both in school and remotely at home. One of the key topics the programme explores is Caring and Responsibility. Teachers at Lee Chapel say that it’s helped pupils to understand that some children have caring responsibilities outside of school.
“Some of the children were surprised to learn about the different jobs their classmates do at home from looking after family pets to caring for family members”, said Shiven Chetty. “Helping pupils to appreciate how others live their lives is exactly what we should be doing as a school. Health and Relationships helps us create a forum where it’s safe to talk about these things.”
Looking ahead, Health and Relationships will continue to be at the centre of Lee Chapel’s wellbeing programme, as Mr Chetty explains:
“It’s never been more important for schools to support kids’ wellbeing, especially during the pandemic. It’s something we’re really committed to and Health and Relationships is helping us deliver.”
Discovery Education is providing schools with no-cost access to Health and Relationships until 31st October 2021. Primary schools are encouraged to register here:
www.discoveryeducation.co.uk/rse
