BBEd Mindfulness for Primary Schools

The National Association of Headteachers have recently stated that mental health is currently one of the greatest challenges facing them as primary school leaders. Our work in developing yoga programmes has led us to look more closely at Mindfulness as a discrete tool for supporting children’s social, emotional and mental wellbeing, as well as being a core aspect of our yoga courses.

On this course, delegates will explore the concept of mindfulness and how it can be developed within the primary school context to support pupil wellbeing. Our approach can be used with children, from nursery / year R through to year 6 and teaches the basic principles of mindfulness through a progressive, child-friendly and relevant approach. The course also looks at how simple activities can be embedded within the day to day practice of the school and how school staff can also benefit from a whole school approach to mindfulness, including the use of mindful techniques to prepare pupils for tests, promote self-regulation and improve concentration.

By the end of the course, delegates will have a bank of practical ideas for developing enjoyable mindfulness-based activities in their school, linked to the wider primary curriculum, at both classroom and whole school level. Resources include a Teacher’s Manual (including a range of photocopiable resources), a 6 week unit of work for key stage 1 and a 6 week unit of work for key stage 2. Delegates can expect this course to provide a welcome respite from the pressures of ‘the day job’, in which they can take time to consider how minor changes to day to day practice can support significant benefits in terms of staff and pupil wellbeing. Lunch is included.