Healthy Schools

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)  

Jigsaw Health and Wellbeing

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/4sflzpmr/jigsaw-3-11-information-for-parents-and-carers-leaflet-wales-2024-en.pdf 

Jigsaw Overview Grid

https://jigsawlivestcmsuk.blob.core.windows.net/umbraco-media/bvfbdtc0/uk-3-11-12-snapshot-overview-map.pdf 

Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) 

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. 

https://jigsawlivestcmsuk.blob.core.windows.net/umbraco-media/h34o5pak/primary-rse-parent-information-leaflet-wales-2024.pdf 

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

Additional Websites: 

https://www.gov.wales/curriculum-wales-relationships-and-sexuality-education-rse-code 

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/ 

Infection, Prevention & Control Guidance

www.wales.nhs.uk/sitesplus/888/opendoc/309925 

E-bug

http://www.e-bug.eu/

Food Standards Agency 

https://www.food.gov.uk/food-safety 

Sneezesafe

https://www.sneezesafe.com.au/en-au/parents-zone

https://www.sneezesafe.com.au/en-au/kids-zone

Carex

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

 Headlice

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

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

Flu

 https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/flu/

 Design to Smile

 https://www.designedtosmile.org/welcome-croeso/welcome/

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/ 

Forest School

There are four Forest Schoo Level 2  trained members of staff at Ysgol Y Bryn and Mrs Nicholas runs  a  Forest School Club as our extra-curricular Bryn Beyond Club. 

In PS1 and PS2 we encourage classroom doors are open in all weather for children to explore the outdoors. At the lower end of our school we have a fantastic outdoor classroom and forest area which all years groups visit to further experience outdoor learning.

Woodwork

Our Early Years Classroom has an outdoor woodwork area where they explore craft using tools and wood.

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 calming 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.