The past fortnight has seen a number of young people continue the Bronze Award section of the HeadStarters Educational Pathway to increase understanding of mental health and develop skills to support others. Students at Outwood Ormesby (Y10), Macmillan Academy (Y8), St. Gerard’s RC Primary School (Y5) and Linthorpe Community Primary School (Y5) have worked on a number of Bronze Award topics such as the ups and downs of life, supporting their peers and understanding anxiety and depression.
We’ve also been able to catch up with some Middlesbrough schools to find out how their HeadStarters are utilising their learning to better the mental health of other groups. At Easterside Academy, the KS2 HeadStarters have been holding a lunchtime drop-in for children who need support or a friendly chat. The Easterside HeadStarters told us that this has helped them to “reconnect some friendship groups who had fallen out”.
St Joseph’s RC Primary School Year 6 HeadStarters have also been supporting their peers in the playground and are now preparing to share their learning with a group of Year 5 students who will take on the HeadStarter role in the summer term. This sustainable learning will mean the St Joseph’s Y6 HeadStarters will achieve their Gold Award!
The fortnight also included an assembly at Green Lane Primary Academy to introduce the HeadStarters Pathway to their Year 5 students. Some of the students in Year 5 will begin their Bronze Award training after half-term.
Published: November 1