Dover Park Primary School Launches New Mental Health And Wellbeing Project

Dover Park Primary School has launched a new initiative aimed at improving pupils' mental health and emotional wellbeing.

The school-wide project forms part of its commitment to the Isle of Wight PEACH (Partnership for Education and Community Health) awarding system.

To mark World Mental Health Day, pupils and staff took part in a 'Hello Yellow Day', wearing yellow clothing and participating in activities designed to encourage conversations about mental health and build emotional resilience.

The event also raised funds for children's mental health charity YoungMinds.

The initiative has been shaped by feedback from parents and carers, alongside anonymous pupil surveys, allowing the school to identify areas where additional support is needed.

Working with the local Mental Health Support Team (MHST), Dover Park has already hosted specialist workshops and plans to introduce regular, termly Wellbeing Days.

Its curriculum, assemblies, workshops and news articles will also be adapted to help children and their families better understand and manage emotional wellbeing.

Eleanor Baxter, the school's PSHE lead, said:

"Supporting children's mental health and wellbeing is not an extra; it is fundamental to helping them flourish, both in school and beyond.

"By creating a culture where children feel safe to express themselves, know that they matter and understand that it is okay to ask for help, we are giving them the foundations to build happy, healthy and confident futures."

Headteacher Jon Kirby said listening to pupils and parents had been vital in developing the project.

He added:

"Hello Yellow Day was a fantastic start to delivering long-term, practical support for our school."