Evidence shows that across the UK, mental health issues in children are increasing while child wellbeing is deteriorating.
Young people today have to navigate a complex and ever-changing world, facing challenges and pressures in numerous aspects of their life.
In fact, 90% of school leaders nationally have reported an increase in the number of students experiencing anxiety or stress over the last five years. Concurrently, referrals to specialist mental health services doubled in recent years.
As a result, NHS Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) are overwhelmed. Currently, just one in four children with a diagnosable mental health problem gets access to the treatment and care that they need.
Alongside this, national figures indicate that up to 66% of children within primary schools struggle with some form of anxiety, ranging from transient and low-level to requiring specialist support .
At Bricknell Primary School, we recognise that the social and emotional skills, knowledge and behaviours that young people learn in the classroom can help them to build resilience and set the pattern for how they will manage their mental health throughout their lives .
Emotional wellbeing is a clear indicator of academic achievement, success and satisfaction in later life.
Evidence shows that mental health and wellbeing programmes in schools, can lead to significant improvements in children’s mental health, and social and emotional skills. Wellbeing provision in schools can also lead to reductions in classroom misbehaviour and bullying.
At Bricknell Primary School, our curriculum is at the heart of our drive for excellence, offering purposeful learning opportunities, which aim to excite, encourage and engage all learners. We are committed to providing all learners with a broad, deep and rich education whilst also preparing them for their lives ahead. We strive that all children leave Bricknell equipped with emotional intelligence, self regulation, interpersonal skills and confidence, allowing all barriers to success to be removed and all children reaching their full potential.
