Wellbeing at St Matthew’s Primary School
At St Matthew’s, a strong foundation for wellbeing is built through a carefully planned PSHE curriculum, where pupils learn about mental health, emotions, relationships and how to stay safe in a supportive and age-appropriate way. We also use Philosophy for Children (P4C) to enhance wellbeing, giving pupils a voice, encouraging respectful discussion and helping them develop confidence in expressing and reflecting on their own thoughts and feelings.
Wellbeing is taught under the PSHE curriculum. You can find more information on our PSHE page.
View our Wellbeing Policy on our Policies page
View our PSHE Policy on our Policies page
View our Pupil Mental Health Policy on our Policies page
View our British Values SMSC Policy on our Policies page
Mindfulness
Mindfulness helps primary school children develop the ability to notice their thoughts, feelings, and surroundings without becoming overwhelmed by them. This supports emotional regulation, making it easier for children to manage frustration, anxiety, and excitement in a healthy way. It also improves attention and concentration, helping pupils stay focused in lessons and absorb learning more effectively.
Just as importantly, mindfulness encourages kindness and empathy, both towards themselves and others, which strengthens relationships in the classroom and reduces conflict. Over time, it builds resilience, giving children practical tools to cope with challenges as they grow.
Paws B
Paws b Mindfulness is a Key Stage 2 classroom-based programme designed to help children develop awareness of their thoughts, feelings and bodily sensations. Through simple, age-appropriate mindfulness activities, it teaches pupils practical strategies for focusing attention, managing emotions and responding calmly to challenges. By building these skills, Paws b supports emotional wellbeing, resilience and positive mental health in a safe and engaging way.
DOTS
DOTS is a mindfulness curriculum designed for children aged 3–6 in schools and pre-school settings. Developed by the Mindfulness in Schools Project (MiSP) in collaboration with experienced teachers, it introduces simple, age-appropriate practices that help young children become more aware of their thoughts, feelings and surroundings. Through playful and accessible activities, DOTS supports early emotional wellbeing, attention and self-regulation.
DOTS Course Outline
Each dots session is expertly crafted for use to teach a distinct mindfulness skill or concept. The sessions are led in person by the dots teacher and do not require the use Powerpoint. For some sessions, additional resources are recommended.
dots is based around three key interconnecting themes: Awareness, Connection and Emotion. Aspects of these themes include:
Awareness
- Awareness and attention
- Metacognition
- Anchoring / Grounding / Being Present
- Calm
- Curiosity
- Embodiment / Focus / Concentration
- Body (Senses, Movement, Stillness, Breath)
Connection
- Connection / Interconnectedness
- Awareness of others / Social awareness
- Relationship skills
- Developing empathy
- Awareness of World
- Awe and Wonder
- Compassion – for self and for others (Care, Kindness, Gratitude, Wellbeing)
Emotion
- Emotional Balance / Emotional Regulation
- Recognise / Reframe
- Emotional Literacy (Recognising emotions)
- Working with distractions
- Self-management
- Self-regulation
- Self-awareness
- Choices
Breathe
Breathe is a multi-session programme designed for Year 6 pupils to support them as they prepare for the transition to secondary school. Delivered over four weekly sessions of 30 minutes to one hour, it helps children manage change, build resilience and develop strategies for coping with new experiences. The programme can be used in the final weeks of primary school or during the early stages of secondary education, providing valuable support during this important transition period.
A Message from Pope Francis
“Dear children, our hands are a symbol for our hearts and only open, generous hearts can change the world. If you have a friend at school that you don’t like, don’t go and gossip about that person with others, because that shows you have a closed heart. If someone insults you, don’t insult them back, but try and change the world with small, every day, acts of generosity and solidarity. Jesus taught us to pray for our friends and our enemies.” – Pope Francis
“We need to rediscover the concreteness of small things, the small acts of kindness shown to those who are close to us, family, friends. We need to realise that our treasure lies in small things. There are tiny gestures that sometimes get lost in the routine of everyday life, gestures of tenderness, affection, compassion, that are nevertheless decisive, important” Pope Francis on facing challenges of the coronavirus pandemic.
Useful Resources
Download: Coping Calendar [PDF]
Download: National Anti-Bullying Week Newsletter [PDF]
Download: What is Resilience [PDF]
Mindfulness
Have you heard of something called ‘mindfulness’? It’s about noticing what is happening in your body, your brain and in all of your senses at this moment in time. Practising mindfulness allows you to take notice of your thoughts and feelings. This helps you to feel a sense of calm and manage difficult emotions such as stress, worry or anger. Why not have a go at some of the activities below?
External Link: Why not make a glitter jar? The swirling patterns make you feel calm when you are stressed or anxious.
External Link: The Gratitude Tree Guided Meditation. If you liked this meditation why not check out more meditations by New Horizons?
External Link: Mindfulness Meditation. Daily meditation helps you to manage and control your mental wellbeing.
External Link: Cloud Watching. Why not try some mindful cloud watching? Wondering why this helps? Find out more here.
External Link: Body Scan. Complete a mindful body scan, bringing you to harmony with your mind and body.
Other Mindfulness Exercises
External Link: Claire’s House Children’s Hospice – Feeling Calm
External Link: NHS UK – Cruz’s Training Station
External Link: NHS UK – Jungle Jig with Nala and Simba
External Link: NHS UK – Jack Jack’s Super Shapes
External Link: NHS UK – Bellwether’s Book Bundle
External Link: MiSP – Mindfulness is being alive and knowing it
External Link: MiSP – Playing Attention
External Link: MiSP – Beditation
External Link: Cosmic Yoga – Yoga for Children
External Link: More Yoga Clips
External Link: Mindful Breathing Exercise