School Wellbeing Project

Psychology Student-led Emotional Health programme in Greater Manchester Primary Schools

Schools urgently need support to help children and young people’s wellbeing and mental health. It is estimated that six children in every class of 30 has a diagnosable mental health issue. Wellbeing support is not covered on teacher training programmes and many teachers find delivering this content challenging. The School of Psychology at Manchester Metropolitan University has developed a preventative wellbeing programme for primary school pupils, uniquely delivered by our undergraduate and master’s students at no cost to schools. This programme is:

• A 6-week programme (1 day per week) delivered at primary and secondary schools across Greater Manchester. So far, the programme has been delivered to 1,780 primary pupils across 27 schools, by over 100 students. This is a rolling programme offered to schools three times per year, supported by Manchester Met students.
• This programme is preventative and focuses on recognising and normalising the full range of emotions, with a strong focus on identifying strategies that help children thrive — such as safe relationships and labelling feelings. By the end of the programme, pupils understand what regulation strategies work for them and when to use them.
• The research team have been exploring the impact of the programme and the ways in which different children and teachers respond.