Sale primary school to create new wellbeing space for vulnerable pupils

A Sale primary school is transforming part of its building into a calm and welcoming wellbeing space to support children who find attending school difficult.

St Anne’s CE Primary School has received funding from education publisher Twinkl to improve the space used by its recently established ‘Rise & Shine’ Club.

The club was created in response to a growing number of pupils experiencing Emotionally Based School Non-Attendance (EBSNA). This can affect children who feel unable to attend school because of anxiety, distress or other emotional difficulties.

Rise & Shine provides a calm and nurturing start to the day, helping children make the transition from home into the school environment. The school will use its share of £40,000 donated to schools across the country, alongside other resources, to turn its existing computer suite into a multifunctional wellbeing space.

Plans include creating an inviting botanical-themed environment with collaborative work areas. As well as hosting the Rise & Shine Club, the space will be available to support children during lunchtimes and core lessons. The aim is to create a sustainable sanctuary where pupils can feel safe, valued and ready to learn.

Jayne Lloyd, a teacher at St Anne’s CE Primary School, said: “This funding will improve our Rise & Shine Club space and change the daily experience of our most vulnerable children.

“By offering calm, care and consistency at the start of the day, the Rise & Shine Club helps children feel that school is a safe place where they belong.”

Jon Seaton, CEO of Twinkl said: “Twinkl prides itself on the positive impact that it has on educators, parents, and children and I’m delighted that we are able to showcase that through direct donations to schools covering the expenses for the educational projects that are much needed in each setting’’.

St Anne’s was one of the schools selected through Twinkl’s ‘Community Collection Giving Tuesday’ campaign, which received more than 3,000 applications.

Twinkl donated a total of £40,000 to support educational projects across the country, with funding awarded to ideas focused on areas including literacy, inclusion and pupil wellbeing.