School's gardening club has focus on mental wellbeing

Children from Greengate Junior School have been working on the school conservation area.

Now spring has sprung it is time for the junior gardeners to plant up the bedding planters.

It is run by Year Five teacher Mrs Reddy and said to be one of a number of activities the school runs to boost its children's wellbeing.

Deputy headteacher Paula Hillman said: "The gardening club is just one of many things we do to enhance children's wellbeing.

"We also have Magic Breakfast every day for all pupils, meditation and relaxations clubs, yoga and assemblies about mental health, well being, body image and relationships.

Staff are also joining with Mental Health Awareness Week.

They are taking part in after school activities throughout this week to boost and build a closer-knit team.

Mrs Hillman said: "We realised we didn't have so much for staff so we have joined in with Mental Health Awareness week and are running sessions for staff every day after school this week too."

Activities include a 5k walk or jog and a tea and coffee session.

"Being teachers, we have got a massively stressful job and also it is nice to spend time together as teachers for teambuilding, because we don't get much chance.".