Nurturing calm, confidence and connection
As Children’s Mental Health Week comes to a close, head of Fairfield Prep School Andrew Earnshaw reflects on the important role nature and creative activities play in supporting young people’s wellbeing.
Children’s Mental Health Week is an important opportunity for us at Fairfield to shine a light on something that underpins everyday life at our school: the emotional wellbeing of our pupils. While supporting children’s mental health is not confined to one week, this moment in the calendar allows us to slow things down slightly and be intentional about creating space for reflection, joy and connection.
This year, pupils across the school are taking part in a wide range of activities designed to help them feel calm, confident and supported. These include mindfulness and breathing exercises, yoga and movement, creative activities such as painting and colouring, music and singing, baking, time outdoors, and opportunities simply to relax and enjoy being with friends. There’s even the opportunity to have a spot of indulgence during a foot spa session!
Whilst our commitment to outdoor learning and learning in nature fits nicely into Children’s Mental Health Week, it’s woven into daily school life all year round. Being outside, whether at Forest School, walking, cloud gazing or simply spending mindful time in green spaces, is now known to have a positive impact on mental health. Our Forest School provision plays a particularly important role, not only for younger pupils but also for our senior school neighbours at Loughborough High School, who sometimes use the woodland environment as part of their wellbeing activities.
Equally important during Children’s Mental Health Week is the message that support is always available. At Fairfield, counselling and pastoral care are integral to how we support pupils throughout the year. Our counselling provision offers children a safe, confidential space to talk, reflect and work through worries, whether big or small. Alongside this, our pastoral team works closely with pupils, families and staff to ensure that no child feels alone and that support is tailored to individual needs.
During Children’s Mental Health Week, we take time to remind pupils how they can access this support and to reinforce that asking for help is a strength, not a weakness. By normalising conversations around feelings and mental health from an early age, we help children develop the emotional literacy and resilience they will need as they grow.
Our aim is to equip children not only with knowledge and skills, but also with the confidence, self-awareness and coping strategies to navigate the world beyond the classroom. If our pupils leave us understanding how to look after themselves, how to support others, and knowing that help is always available when they need it, then we have succeeded in providing an education that truly prepares them for life.