Healthy Schools

Health & Well-being Promoting Schools Programme

Ysgol Y Bryn implements the National Health & Well-being Promoting Schools Programme and

is dedicated to fostering an environment that supports the physical, emotional and social well-being of all learners, staff, and families. Our approach prioritises healthy habits, emotional resilience, and positive relationships as essential parts of education.

Our Commitment

Healthy Eating & Drinking: We educate our learners about balanced food choices and promote healthy eating and drinking habits.
Physical Activity: Through engaging PE lessons, active breaks, and extracurricular sports clubs, we encourage regular physical activity to support overall well-being.
Emotional Support: We offer access to counselling, intervention programmes, and resources to help learners understand and manage their emotions.
Inclusive Community: Our school fosters a culture of respect, inclusivity, and kindness, creating a safe and welcoming environment for everyone.
Health Education: Learners receive education & guidance on essential topics such as personal hygiene, safety, healthy relationships, substances and making informed life choices.

Our Journey

Ysgol Y Bryn has proudly participated in the Health & Well-being Promoting Schools Programme for over 15 years. We are delighted to have achieved Phase 5 of the programme, demonstrating our deep commitment to its values and beliefs, including:

Collaboration
Inclusivity
Individuality
Belonging
Continuous Improvement

The 7 Health Topics

The Health & Well-being Promoting Schools Programme focuses on seven key areas:

Food & Fitness
Safety
Substance Use & Misuse
Personal Development & Relationships
Hygiene
Environment
Mental & Emotional Health & Well-being

With the support of both staff and parents, we aim to instil positive attitudes in learners towards adopting healthy lifestyles across all these areas. Together, we can nurture children to grow into healthy, fit, and happy adults.

Parental Involvement and Resources

To help families support this journey, we share useful information and resources on each of the seven health topics on our school website (insert link to website here) These are available for you to access as needed.

If you have expertise or a specialisation in any of the seven areas and would like to contribute to enhancing our curriculum, extracurricular activities, or school environment, we would love to hear from you.

The Healthy Schools and Wellbeing Champion is – Miss Kirsty Lewis. Please ask to speak to her if you have any questions regarding Healthy Schools.

Our Current Focus

As a school, we are currently evaluating how well we are embedding a whole-school approach to Emotional and Mental Health. Your feedback and involvement are vital in helping us make meaningful improvements in this area.

Food and Fitness

NHS Healthy Lunchbox Guide

The National Health Service (NHS) Healthier Families guide to lunchboxes provides practical advice to help parents prepare balanced, nutritious packed lunches for children.

It recommends including:

A starchy base such as bread, wraps, pasta or rice, choosing wholegrain where possible
At least one portion of fruit and vegetables
A source of protein such as lean meat, fish, eggs, beans or reduced-fat dairy
Healthier snacks, limiting crisps, chocolate and sugary drinks

The page also offers simple, child-friendly recipe ideas and encourages involving children in choosing and preparing their lunch to help build healthy eating habits.

NHS Healthy Lunchbox Guide

The National Health Service (NHS) Healthier Families guide to lunchboxes provides practical advice to help parents prepare balanced, nutritious packed lunches for children.

It recommends including:

A starchy base such as bread, wraps, pasta or rice, choosing wholegrain where possible
At least one portion of fruit and vegetables
A source of protein such as lean meat, fish, eggs, beans or reduced-fat dairy
Healthier snacks, limiting crisps, chocolate and sugary drinks

The page also offers simple, child-friendly recipe ideas and encourages involving children in choosing and preparing their lunch to help build healthy eating habits.

The Senedd run Healthy Packed Lunches throughout the year by setting the pupils challenges to maintain a Healthy Lunch Box and are rewarded with out 4 Core Purpose Huw the Horse Sticker to celebrate their success of being a 'Healthy, Confident Individual.'

WAG Healthy School Lunchbox:

Healthy Eating in a Maintained School

Safety

Safeguarding at Ysgol Y Bryn

Child Protection at Ysgol Y Bryn

Childline Posters and NSPCC Posters

The NSPCC website provides information about the charity’s work to protect children from abuse, offering advice, resources, and support services such as Childline, as well as ways to donate or get involved.

At Ysgol Y Bryn we share these posters with pupils and display within bathroom cubicles and the school corridors.

Internet Safety

Safer Internet Day takes place each year in February. It is an international campaign that raises awareness about online safety, with the 2026 theme “Smart tech, safe choices – Exploring the safe and responsible use of AI.” The website provides information, resources, and guidance for schools, parents, and young people to promote safe and responsible use of digital technology.

Our pupils follow the Smart Rules when using the computer and PC Courney (Community PCSO) delivers 'Keeping Safe Online' workshops to year groups.

https://www.childnet.com/young-people/4-11-year-olds/get-smart/

The Childnet “Get SMART” webpage provides simple online safety advice for children aged 4–11, using the SMART rules to teach them how to stay safe, be kind, and make positive choices when using the internet.

Internet Safety /Topics/Stories for yound children:

https://www.childnet.com/resources/digiduck-stories/

Digiduck Stories

The Digiduck Stories are a series of online safety stories for children aged 3–7 that help teach friendship, responsibility, and critical thinking when using the internet, supported by teaching activities for parents and educators.

https://www.childnet.com/resources/smartie-the-penguin/

Smartie the Penguin

Smartie the Penguin is a collection of interactive stories for young children that explore online safety issues and encourage pupils to discuss problems and seek help from trusted adults.

Additional Online Safety Websites:

https://www.ceop.police.uk/safety-centre/

https://www.ceopeducation.co.uk/4_7/

https://www.ceopeducation.co.uk/8_10/

Anti-Bullying

https://anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk/anti-bullying-week-2025/anti-bullying-week-2025

The Anti-Bullying Week 2025 webpage explains the national campaign organised by the Anti-Bullying Alliance, with the theme “Power for Good.” It provides information, free school resources, and guidance to help children, schools, and communities promote kindness, speak out against bullying, and create safer environments.

We wear 'Odd Socks' to school to celebrate what make us unique.

https://www.gov.wales/sites/default/files/publications/2018-03/leaflet-are-you-being-bullied.pdf

The Welsh Government leaflet “Are You Being Bullied?” gives advice to pupils on what to do if they experience bullying, including telling a trusted adult, seeking support, and understanding that schools must have policies to deal with bullying. It also provides information about helplines and counselling support for children and young people.

Additional Anti-Bullying Websites:

https://www.stopbullying.gov/

https://www.kidscape.org.uk/

https://actagainstbullying.org/

StopBullying.gov

Help With Bullying | Bullying Advice | Kidscape

Act Against Bullying. Leading UK Anti-Bullying Charity

Substance Use and Misuse

https://socialcare.wales/resources-guidance/improving-care-and-support/social-care-for-children-and-families/children-who-use-substances

The Social Care Wales page explains issues related to children and young people who use substances, outlining why they may be vulnerable, signs of use, how to understand and talk about substance use with them, and starting points for supporting them safely, especially in residential care settings.

At Ysgol Y Bryn PC Courtney (Community Liaison Officer) delivers a 'Substance and Misuse workshop to our older pupils.

We use the Jigsaw PSHE scheme to educate our pupils about the dangers of smoking, vaping, alcohol, and drug misuse.

Additional Website Links:

School Beat Website (Rhaglen Craidd yr Heddlu / School Police Liaison Programme)

https://www.schoolbeat.org/

https://www.schoolbeat.org/parents/

https://www.schoolbeat.org/en/parents/know-what-could-affect-your-child/substance-misuse/

Smoke free Wales

https://www.justbsmokefree.wales/public/information.php

Ash Wales  - (Ysmygu / Smoking)

https://ash.wales/

Smoking Ban in Cars

https://gov.wales/newsroom/health-and-social-services/2015/151001ban/?lang=en

Stop Smoking Services in Wales

www.helpmequit.wales

Wales Drug and Alcohol Helpline

https://dan247.org.uk

Honest information about drugs - FRANK

www.talktofrank.com

NHS 111 Wales

https://111.wales.nhs.uk/smoking(quitting)

Personal Development & Relationships

https://jigsawpshe.online/welcome/

The Jigsaw PSHE site introduces “Jigsaw – the mindful approach to PSHE,” a whole‑school Personal, Social, Health and Economic education programme that provides structured, evidence‑informed lessons and resources to help children build emotional literacy, resilience, and life skills.

We teach 6 Jigsaw Puzzle Pieces from Nursery to Year 6:

· Being Me

· Celebrating Differences

· Dreams and Goals

· Healthy Me

· Relationships

· Changing Me

Jigsaw 3–11 information for parents and carers leaflet (Wales 2024):

The leaflet explains the Jigsaw PSHE “mindful approach to Health and Well‑being” for children aged 3–11, showing how the programme supports the Curriculum for Wales by teaching emotional literacy, relationships and sexuality education, mindfulness, and key life skills through structured lesson units and resources for schools and families.

https://jigsawlivestcmsuk.blob.core.windows.net/umbraco-media/mqch4i0g/jigsaw-3-11-information-for-parents-and-carers-leaflet-wales-2024-cy.pdf

We deliver the mandatory RSE curriculum within the Jigsaw puzzles. In the Summer Term, all teachers follow the Jigsaw PSHE lesson guidance on ‘Relationships.’ Parents will receive a leaflet in advance with details of what their children will be taught.

Year 6 pupils take part in lessons on puberty during the Spring Term, delivered by our NHS School Nurse.

Hygiene

Global Handwashing Day

Global Handwashing Day is held every 15 October to promote the importance of washing hands with soap. Led by the Global Handwashing Partnership, the day raises awareness about how handwashing helps prevent illness and protect communities around the world. We practise washing our hands daily and take part each year in Global Handwashing Day.

The NHS says washing your hands properly is one of the easiest ways to protect yourself and others from illness by removing germs.

https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/best-way-to-wash-your-hands/ - Click on the link to watch demonstration video of how to wash your hands.

At Ysgol Y Bryn we understand the importance of good hand hygiene and encourage our pupils to follow the 9-step handwashing guidance from public health. Our younger pupils enjoy singing Happy Birthday while washing their hands to make sure they scrub for long enough.

Hygiene

At our school, the school nurse leads hygiene talks to help pupils understand how to stay healthy and prevent illness.

These sessions cover important topics such as handwashing, oral care, personal cleanliness, and keeping germs at bay. Pupils learn practical steps they can take every day to stay clean and well, building good habits that support their health and wellbeing.

The talks are interactive, age-appropriate, and encourage pupils to ask questions and take responsibility for their own hygiene.

Puberty

At our school, the school nurse leads informative sessions about puberty and growing up. These talks help pupils understand the physical and emotional changes that happen during puberty in a safe, supportive, and age-appropriate way.

Pupils learn about hygiene, body changes, emotional wellbeing, and how to ask questions if they are unsure or worried. The sessions aim to give children confidence, knowledge, and reassurance as they go through this important stage of development.

This supports our wider health education programme and encourages open, respectful conversations about growing up.

Public Health Wales

This guidance helps schools and childcare settings know when children or staff should stay home if they have an infectious illness. It lists recommended exclusion periods for common infections and provides advice on managing outbreaks to keep everyone healthy.

Exclusion Period for Common Infections (July 2025) Including A-Z of Common Infections and Next Steps:

https://phw.nhs.wales/services-and-teams/aware-health-protection-team/guidance-for-childcare-preschool-and-educational-settings/exclusion-period-for-common-infections-including-a-z-of-common-infections-and-next-steps-july-2025-v8/?ts=1772231340671

Additional websites:

Canllaw ar Atal a Rheoli Heintiau Cymru/ Infection, Prevention & Control Guidance

All Wales Infection Prevention and Control Guidance for Educational Settings_FINALMay 2017x.pdf  

Quick Reference Guide – Infection Prevention and Control

https://phw.nhs.wales/services-and-teams/harp/infection-prevention-and-control/guidance/exclusion-period-for-common-infections-january-2022-english/

E-bug – http://www.e-bug.eu/

Food Standards Agency (Hylendid Bwyd)

https://www.food.gov.uk/

https://www.food.gov.uk/cy

https://www.food.gov.uk/cy/food-safety

https://www.food.gov.uk/food-safety

Sneezesafe - https://www.sneezesafe.com.au/parents/

                      https://www.sneezesafe.com.au/kids/

Carex – https://www.carex.co.uk/

             https://www.carex.co.uk/hand-hygiene

             https://www.carex.co.uk/kids-zone

Llau-pen / Headlice – https://www.nhsdirect.wales.nhs.uk/pdfs/140407headlicefactsheeten.pdf

                                     https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/head-lice-and-nits/

                                     http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/888/page/43732

                                     http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/888/tudalen/44189

Flu:                              http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/888/tudalen/44184

                                    https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/flu/

                                    https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/10-myths-about-flu-and-the-flu-vaccine/

                                    http://www.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/888/page/96906

Cynllun Gwên / Design to Smile – https://www.designedtosmile.org/welcome-croeso/welcome/

Environment

Outdoor

At Ysgol Y Bryn we strive to make the most of outdoor learning. Our well-resourced outdoor environment provides excellent opportunities for lessons that cover all areas of learning.

All pupils have access to waterproof outdoor clothing.

The ECO Warriors are responsible for helping to look after our outdoor environment. They work together to care for nature, protect wildlife and make sure our school grounds are clean, safe and welcoming for everyone.

The ECO Warriors help our school to be greener and show that even small actions can make a big difference.

Useful websites:

The 3 R’s – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
https://kids.niehs.nih.gov/topics/reduce/index.htm

http://www.recycling-guide.org.uk/rrr.html

https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/

Indoor

At Ysgol Y Bryn, our classrooms are calm, neutral and thoughtfully designed to create a peaceful learning environment.

The spaces use soft, natural tones rather than bright colours, helping children to feel settled and focused. We incorporate natural resources such as wood, plants, hessian, woven textures and other organic materials to create a warm, homely atmosphere.

Classrooms are carefully organised, with inviting areas for collaboration as well as quiet corners for reflection and reading. Displays are purposeful and meaningful, celebrating learning without overwhelming the space.

At Ysgol Y Bryn, our environment is designed to feel safe, nurturing and grounded in nature, supporting children’s wellbeing alongside their learning.

Mental Health

Mental Health Week

https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/our-work/public-engagement/mental-health-awareness-week

Mental Health Awareness Week is a yearly UK‑wide event each May led by the Mental Health Foundation to promote good mental health and reduce stigma. The week brings people together in schools, workplaces, communities and families to focus on understanding mental wellbeing, starting conversations and encouraging positive actions that support mental health for everyone. Millions of people participate, using resources and activities provided to raise awareness and highlight how mental health matters in everyday life.

Jigsaw

At Ysgol Y Bryn we follow the Jigsaw scheme of work for PSE lessons across the school. Every class takes part in at least one Jigsaw session a week. Jigsaw 3-11 offers a comprehensive Programme for Primary PSHE including statutory Relationships and Health Education, in a spiral, progressive and fully planned scheme of work, giving children relevant learning experiences to help them navigate their world and to develop positive relationships with themselves and others.

The programme gives children meaningful learning experiences to help them understand themselves, build positive relationships with others, and navigate the world around them. We also use Jigsaw puzzle mascots, like Jerrie the Cat, to mark “pause points,” and a gentle chime to practice breathing and mindfulness techniques, helping pupils develop self-awareness and calm focus.

https://jigsawlivestcmsuk.blob.core.windows.net/umbraco-media/mqch4i0g/jigsaw-3-11-information-for-parents-and-carers-leaflet-wales-2024-cy.pdf (Add Eng version)

Cosmic Yoga

https://cosmickids.com/watch/

Cosmic Kids provides fun, guided yoga, movement and mindfulness videos designed especially for children. The sessions use stories, characters and imaginative themes to make physical activity and breathing exercises engaging and accessible for pupils. Schools use Cosmic Kids as a classroom brain break, wellbeing activity or PE resource to help children get moving, improve strength and balance, and practise relaxation and focus techniques. It can support calm‑down time, increase focus between lessons, and introduce children to simple yoga and mindfulness concepts in a playful way.

Additional websites:

Five Ways to Well-being:

Five ways to well-being - Hywel Dda University Health Board

The Five Ways to Wellbeing - boosting mental wellbeing

Mental & Emotional Health support lines:

Childline | Childline

YoungMinds | Mental Health Charity For Children And Young People | YoungMinds

Home - Home - Meic

Young people | Emotional health resources | Mental health | Samaritans

Bereavement support for children and families | Winston's Wish

Home SUPPORTING BEREAVED CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE - Grief Encounter

Useful videos in relation to Mental & Emotional Health: