At Antrim Primary School, the emotional health and wellbeing of our pupils, staff and families is at the heart of everything we do. We believe that when children feel happy, safe, valued and supported, they are better equipped to learn, develop positive relationships and achieve their full potential.

We are proud to be a Being Well Doing Well (BWDW) school, reflecting our commitment to creating a positive and supportive school environment where emotional health and wellbeing are recognised, valued and actively promoted throughout our school community.

Being Well Doing Well

The Being Well Doing Well programme forms part of the Children and Young People's Emotional Health and Wellbeing in Education Framework and supports schools in developing a whole-school approach to emotional health and wellbeing.

Through this programme, we continually reflect on our practices, identify opportunities for improvement and develop initiatives that support the emotional wellbeing of everyone within our school.

Our approach recognises that emotional health and wellbeing are closely connected to learning, relationships, confidence and personal development. By creating a nurturing and inclusive environment, we aim to ensure that every child feels supported, develops resilience and has the confidence to face challenges both inside and outside the classroom.

We are delighted to have recently received our Being Well Doing Well plaque, acknowledging the work undertaken across Antrim Primary School to promote and strengthen emotional health and wellbeing.

This recognition is a wonderful achievement for our school community and reflects the dedication of our pupils, staff and families in helping to create a caring, positive and supportive environment.

Take 5 – Steps to Wellbeing

Alongside our involvement in Being Well Doing Well, we are incredibly proud to be a Take 5 Level 2 Accredited School.

The Take 5 approach promotes five simple, practical steps that can help support positive mental health and emotional wellbeing. These principles are encouraged throughout our school and provide valuable opportunities for children, staff and families to develop healthy habits, build positive relationships and look after their wellbeing.

Our five steps to wellbeing are:

1. Connect

Building positive relationships with others is essential for emotional wellbeing. We encourage pupils to develop friendships, communicate openly, show kindness and strengthen their connections with family, friends and the wider school community.

2. Keep Learning

Learning something new can build confidence, develop a sense of achievement and encourage personal growth. We provide opportunities for pupils to explore new interests, develop their talents, embrace challenges and celebrate their progress.

3. Be Active

Physical activity supports both physical and emotional wellbeing. Through PE, sport, outdoor learning, active play and other opportunities to move, we encourage pupils to enjoy being active and develop healthy habits.

4. Take Notice

Taking time to appreciate the world around us can help us feel calmer, more focused and connected to our surroundings. We encourage children to recognise their feelings, appreciate positive experiences and develop an awareness of themselves and others.

5. Give

Acts of kindness and generosity can have a positive impact on both ourselves and those around us. Through helping others, showing appreciation, volunteering and contributing to school life, pupils learn the importance of compassion, empathy and making a difference.

Wellbeing Across Our School Community

At Antrim Primary School, we believe that emotional health and wellbeing should be part of everyday school life rather than something considered only at particular times of the year.

Through positive relationships, supportive classroom environments, opportunities for pupil leadership, outdoor learning, physical activity and a wide range of enriching experiences, we aim to create a culture where wellbeing is actively promoted and everyone feels a sense of belonging.

Our commitment extends beyond the classroom. We recognise the important role that parents, carers and families play in supporting children's emotional development, and we value the partnership between home and school in promoting positive wellbeing.

By encouraging the Take 5 principles throughout our school community, we hope to inspire healthy habits and positive attitudes that children can carry with them throughout their lives.

Our Continuing Wellbeing Journey

Receiving our Being Well Doing Well plaque and achieving Take 5 Level 2 Accreditation are important milestones in our school's ongoing commitment to emotional health and wellbeing.

We are incredibly proud of these achievements, but we recognise that promoting positive wellbeing is a continuous journey. We remain committed to listening to our pupils, supporting our staff, working closely with families and identifying new ways to strengthen the wellbeing of our entire school community.

Together, we aim to ensure that Antrim Primary School continues to be a place where everyone feels happy, safe, respected and supported, and where every child has the opportunity to grow, flourish and shine.