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Ideas for a calmer, more focussed learning environment


Hester Binge Education consultant and trainer, specialising in wellbeing and science


As someone who supports wellbeing and mental health in schools, as well as science, the below statistics are just the tip of the iceberg. So, I was pleased that in 2020 it will be statutory for primary pupils to learn about the importance of their mental health and how this impacts on their everyday lives.


Of course, this subject isn’t new, and many schools already teach a weekly PSHE lesson. But is this enough? In the National Curriculum we spend time teaching about digestion and circulation but why don’t we include how the brain works and the powerful connection between our feelings and how they affect our bodies and actions?


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Hester is a YPO CPD course tutor. Find out more about the course programme and view the full list of 2019 courses at ypo.co.uk/cpd


OFSTED are now looking at how schools are widening their curriculum to encompass all areas of the curriculum. In their draft proposal for the Inspection Framework, there is a focus on PSHE being part of a balanced curriculum in order to provide high quality outcomes for personal, social and health, as well as for academic learning.


From experience of working in primary schools, it’s essential that first and foremost we focus on a child’s (and teacher’s) wellbeing before trying to teach. If a child is struggling with feelings or anxious then there is no space for learning to settle in their brains.


10 In an average classroom,


10 children will have witnessed their parents separate1


10 8


In an average classroom, eight will have experienced severe physical violence, sexual abuse or neglect1


1. Faulkner J. Class of 2011 Yearbook: How happy are young people and why does it matter? [Internet]. Doncaster; 2011 [cited 2017 May 31]. Available from: relate.org.uk


Creating a whole school ethos to promote wellbeing in staff and pupils needs some thinking, and everyone including office staff and the site manager need to be included and on board. But this doesn’t have to be outfacing and the rewards will be felt and have a ripple effect throughout.


Spending just 15 minutes focussed time a day on meditation and breathing exercises makes all the difference. 15 minutes you cry – where are we going to find a spare 15 minutes? Well…once children have been guided in how to meditate they can utilise that skill themselves whenever it’s needed to help them focus or calm down. These 15 minutes will allow you to have a calmer more focussed classroom, dinner time and playtime. Times that you normally spend on getting children back on task or sorting out disputes radically reduce when wellbeing activities are introduced throughout the school. Time can be split into 5 minute breathing exercises which children can be


1


In an average classroom, one will have experienced the death of a parent1


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