If you go down to the woods today

The children of Wymondley JMI School in Little Wymondley, near Hitchin, have been making up for time spent inside during lockdown with a special day out to Wymondley Wood. Throughout June, each pupil had the opportunity to visit the outdoor activity centre with their class for a Mental Health Day. Designed to boost their mental health and wellbeing, the occasion allowed the children to get moving and interacting with their peers, as well as express their feelings, in a beautiful natural setting away from the pressures of the regular curriculum. “Lockdown has undoubtedly been tough for children, many of whom have spent much more time inside, not been as physically active as usual and missed out on vital opportunities to develop their social skills,” said headteacher Mr. Plunkett. The Mental Health Days aimed to address these lost experiences with a schedule of den building, creating art with nature, scavenger hunts, toasting marshmallows around the fire, team hide-and-seek games in the woods and free choice games on the field. The older pupils also walked the two miles from the school to the woods to challenge their physical fitness. “Even though they haven’t travelled that far, the woods feel like a world away. It’s a magical environment for the children to explore their creativity, express their feelings and socialise with one another,” said Mrs. Burningham, classroom assistant for Years 3 and 4. Through all these activities, the children were encouraged to listen, talk and collaborate with each other, while connecting with their own mental health and wellbeing. “We are a collaborative school and if pupils are struggling with their social skills or mental health, it has a knock-on effect on academic progress. We feel it is important to talk to our pupils about mental health in a child-friendly way and support them to learn what they can do to be well and help others too,” Mr. Plunkett added. Meyer, 8, said: “I really enjoyed being in the woods and making a den,” while Charlie, also 8, said: “I liked helping my friend make a den. It was so much fun.” With glowing reviews such as this and beaming smiles all round, it is clear the Mental Health Days had a positive impact intended. About Wymondley JMI School Wymondley Junior Mixed and Infant School is a mixed primary institution in the village of Little Wymondley, near Hitchin, built around the core values of being respectful, responsible and remarkable. The school has capacity for 105 pupils, aged 4-11, who are taught in four mixed-age classes. It provides a nurturing and collaborative environment, where all staff know every child and support them to develop the creative, social and technological skills they need to become confident, well-rounded young people. Facilities include a wellstocked library, large hall with a built-in stage, and spacious grounds, where children are encouraged to explore interests from sports to music and gardening in lessons as well as in numerous lunchtime and afterschool clubs.

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