Small grant case studies

Emotional health and wellbeing

Carclaze Junior School The school wanted to develop the message of positive touching and the differences between "right" and "wrong" touching of peers. Staff also wanted to improve the relationships between the children in a particular class. Two HLTAs attended Massage in Schools training. Now, massage takes place every day after lunch. Immediate results include a feeling of calm in the classroom after the massage sessions. Relationships between pupils are improving and self-esteem has risen, as all children can give and receive massage. Children have been massaging parents and one Asperger's child offers massage during an after-school club. Respect for others is developing as the children work with others they might not choose to work with. The HLTAs have also been to the infant school to introduce it there as well.

Coads Green Primary School The School Council agreed that some parts of the playground were dull. The children identified the need for paintings for fun and colour, benches with shade, outside quiet games, an Amazon scene, the Elliot painted with flowers, signs, and willow sculptures. The school researched a local company, Country Charm, for the purchase of two child-height tables and benches. The artist Su Briggs worked with the school to design and paint the mural. All the children produced drawings which showed some unusual animals, birds and insects. Su used the designs to transpose onto the new furniture. The project also included a garden makeover and the installation of cool school shades. The project was completed for the official opening day and since then it has continued to grow, with the addition of mobiles, windmills and bees.

Goonhavern Primary School A need was identified to cater for children's emotional needs and for counselling at school. It was decided to provide a counsellor during the lunch break; this would make a major contribution to the mental and emotional welfare of the children during a period of the day which, for some, is a time of anxiety. The project has ensured that the children have recourse to someone to discuss their problems with each day.

Lewannick CP School The children enjoy visiting an area of the school garden to sit and talk at a small outdoor picnic table. The staff decided to enhance the playground with a second area where small groups of children could congregate and chat with adequate shelter from rain and sun. This was a popular move. Together with funds raised by the school, the grant enabled the school to purchase a small but robust open-sided wooden housing that 8-12 children can comfortably occupy. This provides a retreat for some of the older children to chat and socialise. It can also be a secure area for the younger children to escape from football and other activity on the main playground. Being open-sided, visibility is good, both in and out. It is a popular, shaded addition to the playground.

Mevagissey CP School The school identified a lack of places for the infant children to withdraw to when needing quiet and calm. The project involved negotiations with Chris Raymond of Creative Willows. Together with the children, he designed a wig-wam with two doors and two windows and built it near the infant playground. The infant children are most appreciative. They have enjoyed watching the willow grow; the more it grows, the more they are secluded when inside.

Mullion CP School Through the School Council, the children had requested picnic tables so that they could eat outside whenever possible. The identified needs were buying the tables, arranging delivery and providing space for them. A local supplier was identified and the small grant was used to make the purchase. The children love eating outside and the picnic tables are also used at playtimes for meeting places, quiet play, making dens underneath and for hide and seek!

Nancledra School A teacher had attended a Massage in Schools course and was inspired to take it back into school and implement it, starting with the younger children. The identified needs were to calm the children, to improve their listening skills and concentration, to involve all children and to improve their social interaction. She did a session of massage with the Reception and Year 1 children once a week for three weeks until the TAs could take over. She continued with her own class, Year 2. She has received lots of positive feedback from parents. The Year 1 teacher and the TAs have noticed a difference in the children after the sessions - they are so much calmer!

Pendeen School The school wanted to employ additional support staff to run the Key Stage 2 after-school study club. This would enable pupils to complete homework in a supportive environment, relieve pressure on parents and support pupils to achieve their potential. (The Come Along, Play Along sessions were becoming victims of their own success.) The expansion of the sessions has meant that an increased number of parents and grandparents are attending. This is leading to further development of the home-school partnership and increased community links.

St Mabyn CE School The School Council identified the need for a quiet outdoor space. This grew from the Sense of Place curriculum. The identified needs were for a quiet outdoor space, caring and nurturing and knowledge of food production. They converted a small area of grass into a multi-purpose space complete with shrubs, flowers, willow pod, sculpture, seating areas, vegetables and an outdoor classroom. Benefits of the project include community cohesion (villagers, the Home School Association, staff and pupils all worked together). There are now more opportunities for outdoor learning. It is a wonderful extra resource.

St Stephens CP School The purpose of the project was to create a sensory garden. There was a need for an outside play area for quiet kinaesthetic activities. Also, a particular area, neglected and very dismal, needed to be developed. The horrible old rubber mats were removed by hand and taken away. A brightly coloured table and a pencil fence were established with seating for small groups of children to collaborate with construction toys with wheelchair provision. The grant was used to purchase lovely large wooden tubs to add colour. The concrete area is now cleaner and more aesthetically pleasing. The planters are full of Sweet Williams, acers and sweet-smelling herbs. Benefits are that the children and staff have an additional outdoor area where they may sit and enjoy the sunshine. Children now have a secure haven where they can enjoy outdoor learning activities with or without adult support.

St Tudy CE VA Primary School For breaks, lunchtimes and PE, the children and teachers have to walk to and from the village playing facilities. The children often returned from outside in a very lively manner, not always exhibiting a willingness to quickly settle to learning. The grant funding was put towards the implementation of the Massage in Schools Programme. To measure the impact of this, questionnaires were carried out among children, staff and parents. Impact has been very positive, with staff, children and parents having all been introduced to the calming effects of massage. Teachers feel that the afternoon sessions following massage are calmer, particularly in Class 2.

Whitemoor CP School The school used the small grant to purchase "Buddy caps" a "Buddy bus stop" and stickers. The project has assisted in the children's personal development, improved opportunities to promote emotional health and wellbeing, and helped to raise their self-esteem.