We recognise that for each child to be able to reach their full potential, they must also learn how to look after their wellbeing.
The uncertainty and constant change since the beginning of lockdown has really tested the resilience of children across the country. A report from Ofsted found that children have lost stamina in their reading and writing, some have lost physical fitness, and others are showing signs of mental distress, which as an education provider we find really concerning.
Reading for wellbeing
At Marine Academy we have endeavoured to use the pleasure of reading to support our children not just with their education but also with their mental health. Reading can provide escapism for children, allowing them to focus on a story or a character.
In school we do ‘drop everything and read’ sessions every day where teachers read to the children or they read on their own. This session not only highlights the importance of reading to the children and improves their skills, but it also teaches them the discipline of taking time to focus on just one thing. When everything else feels overwhelming, uncertain, or out of control, you can always take time to look after yourself and enjoy a book.
We have always run these sessions in school but during the pandemic we felt it was important for children to continue doing this at home. We included this session in the packs we sent out to children learning remotely so they could integrate it into their day and continue to encourage any pupil who has to learn remotely to timetable this into their day. All of our children can use myON, which provides them with online access to up to 7,000 digitally enhanced books. We also share videos of our staff reading books, we find the children really enjoy seeing their teachers faces if they’re not in school.
A motivating pooch
We know motivation is tricky for young pupils if they’re working independently. We maintained their drive by offering access to online resources. Each child was able to use Accelerated Reader by Renaissance to take quizzes on their books; children who achieved 100 per cent in a quiz were rewarded with their name put into a book raffle for the chance to choose one of the books in our book vending machine. As the children worked their way through the Reader Certifications, we continued to send home their certificates in the post with a congratulations letter from Watson – one of our school dogs.
The school has three dogs, the Academy dog Watson, the Wellbeing Dog Wilma and a therapy dog called Little Bear. ‘Paws to Read’ sessions with Watson, which is when children get to read to him in the Academy’s library, take place every day so it was important for them to continue to hear from him throughout lockdown.
My advice to other schools would be to always focus on the joy that reading can bring. We appreciate there will always be reluctant readers in every class, but reading is not a punishment and if framed correctly can be seen by students as a reward and an opportunity to focus on themselves and their own wellbeing. We were delighted to be recognised at Renaissance’s Lockdown Learning Awards and we will continue to focus on wellbeing in the new year and post Covid-19.
Stacey Mitchel is assistant headteacher at Marine Academy Primary, Plymouth.
