The brilliant Nunthorpe HeadStarters recently achieved their Bronze and Silver awards, and have already put their learning to good use within their school. They have adapted an existing space and turned it into a HeadStarters area, where pupils can come to a calm space and talk to a HeadStarter each lunchtime to help with their emotional wellbeing
The HeadStarters have used their existing outdoor classroom as their new HeadStarters space, and named it ‘Calm Corner’. Pupils can come to talk to a HeadStarter, or just use it as a quiet space to reflect, read books such as ‘Positive Me’, or use the equipment the HeadStarters provide such as poppets, fidget spinners, fidget cubes and colouring books, which they keep in their HeadStarters box they have made which they bring in to Calm Corner each day
Calm Corner is decorated with posters that the HeadStarters have made themselves displaying positive messages and breathing exercises to promote emotional wellbeing. The space is well used every lunchtime, and is looked after and maintained by 4 HeadStarters each session
Nunthorpe HeadStarters really embraced learning about emotional health, wellbeing and resilience from Day 1, and after they had achieved their Silver Award were very keen to help other pupils in their school. They are a positive, enthusiastic and very caring group who, with support from their school, are already making a massive impact to the wellbeing of all pupils within their school
“We’re definitely helping people, pupils feel comfortable talking’ – Mia
“Sometimes pupils just want a space to sit and be quiet” – Roman
“It’s made a complete difference to the school, pupils feel much more comfortable talking to someone their own age” – Bea L
“I’m happy that I make other people feel better” – Daisy
“I feel like it’s making the school better and more safe having us to talk to” – Martha
“I’m happy that we can make people go home with a smile on their face” – Oscar
“Everyone looks after each other now” – Bea C
“Some people have something stuck in their minds and we help them get it out. It’s good” – Maia
“Making people happy is good” – Ibrahim
“People go in sad and come out happy” – Alfie
“We’ve made everyone in our school more confident sharing feelings” – Evan
Published: June 15