Using wellbeing activities to nurture pupils

Information about the school

Ysgol Gynradd Sant Curig is situated in the centre of the town of Barry in the Vale of Glamorgan.  Welsh is the main medium of the school’s life and work.  There are 425 pupils between 3 and 11 years old on roll, including 55 nursery age pupils.  The school has 16 single age classes, including two classes for nursery children.

Over the last three years, around 11% of pupils have been eligible for free school meals.  Around a quarter of pupils come from Welsh-speaking homes.  Very few are from ethnic minority backgrounds. The school has identified around 14% of its pupils as having additional learning needs.

Context and background to the effective or innovative practice

Ysgol Sant Curig is a highly caring community, where most pupils make sound progress and achieve well.  Nearly all pupils’ standards of wellbeing, behaviour and attitudes to learning are excellent.  They show high levels of motivation, interest and pride in their work. 

The school has forged an excellent working relationship between pupils and staff, which contributes to an effective learning environment.  The school has developed a number of strategies that support and develop pupils’ confidence, independence and resilience to overcome challenges in their learning and nurture a positive culture towards learning, for example by establishing the ‘Clwb Dechrau Da’, ‘Clwb Cwtsh’, ELSA sessions to develop pupils’ emotional wellbeing, and ‘Cŵl wedi Cinio’. 

The school believes strongly that all pupils need to experience sound mental wellbeing, resilience and self-confidence in order to reach their full potential and grow to become principled citizens and healthy, confident individuals.  Therefore, the full range of wellbeing activities is given priority when planning the school’s strategic direction, and the pupil’s voice is given a prominent place in the school’s work.

Description of the nature of the strategy or activity

The school’s staff identify individuals who would benefit from purposeful support.  The ‘Dechrau Da’ and ‘Clwb Cwtsh’ clubs support and nurture pupils, and provide them with a positive and stable start.  Staff ensure opportunities for them to discuss their worries and ensure that they are prepared fully for the day ahead.  This is implemented on a ‘drop-in’ basis before the start of the school day.  ‘Clwb Cwtsh’ provides nurture sessions, in which pupils are given an opportunity to develop life skills, such as cooking, sewing and eating together around the table.  Opportunities are also provided to improve their self-confidence, develop tolerance and social skills.  Parents are invited to some sessions with their children. 

The scheme to develop pupils’ emotional wellbeing (ELSA) provides specific support for children through difficult times in their lives, and develops their emotional literacy skills.  ‘Cŵl wedi Cinio’ sessions are provided to promote mindfulness among all pupils from nursery to Year 3.  The aim of this intervention is to provide a calm period for pupils after a busy lunchtime to prepare for the afternoon learning session.

What impact has this work had on provision and learners’ standards?

Pupils’ wellbeing and attitudes to learning are excellent.  Pupils show high levels of motivation, interest and pride in their work.  Nearly all take part in their activities enthusiastically and concentrate well.  As a result, nearly all pupils do their best and achieve well.

How have you shared your good practice?

The above practice has been shared with the Welsh-medium schools in the Central South Consortium (CSC) as part of the ‘Cadwyn Cynradd’ training programme.