Mindfulness for all at Withington Juniors

Withington Girls’ School’s commitment to the wellbeing of pupils has been strengthened even further through one of their teachers becoming Paws .b qualified – a leading mindfulness programme for children aged seven to eleven.

Paws .b introduces the skills of mindfulness to children and helps to develop:

· Skills for achieving greater happiness and well-being.
· Strategies for relaxing and finding peace and calm.
· Coping strategies for stress, anxiety and everyday worries.
· Better focus - supporting learning, behaviour, performance and decision making.
· Improved relationships with peers, teachers and family.
· An understanding of one’s own mind and what makes for a happy, healthy person.

Teacher Mrs Birch has delivered Paws .b to all current Transition (Year 3) and Form I (Year 4) pupils this term with the aim of teaching the 12-week programme to the entire Junior School by the end of the year.

Last year’s Upper II (Year 6) pupils, who have since progressed to Withington’s Senior School, also benefited from the programme.

In addition to Paws .b, Mrs Birch runs after-school yoga and a lunchtime mindfulness drop in for Junior pupils.

Ms Howard, Head of Junior School, said: "Mrs Birch’s training comes at a time when mindfulness is more important than ever, given the disruption and uncertainty pupils have faced in recent times.

"We’ve always had a strong focus on wellbeing at Withington which the Paws .b programme complements as it encourages pupils from this early stage to be mindful and equips them with invaluable skills for life."