Above: Martha, Mrs Farren, Poppy the dog, Art Psychotherapist Ms McRae and pupil Joseph in Cosy Snug
Dame Allan’s has fortified its commitment to children’s mental health with the establishment of a second wellbeing snug to provide dedicated support to pupils from Early Years through to Year Six.
Motivated by the positive impact that a purpose-built Snug has had on pupils at its Senior School site, Dame Allan’s has introduced a smaller yet equally effective space at its Junior School.
The welcoming space – known as the Cosy Snug – not only offers a relaxed and private setting for younger pupils who access counselling and professional psychotherapy sessions, but also provides teachers with a quiet and calming environment where they can engage with children away from the classroom.
Year 3 pupil Martha said: “The Cosy Snug is nice, it has lots of art supplies so you can draw something and Play-Doh to play with. It is a good place to go if you need someone or some quiet. If you don’t talk about your feelings you can get poorly, so talking about it helps us to have a better time at school.”
Deborah Farren, Deputy Head and designated safeguarding lead at Dame Allan’s Junior School and Nursery, said the wellbeing of pupils remains a top priority. “We’re committed to adapting and evolving our approach to mental health to meet the changing needs of our pupils,” she said. “By acknowledging the challenges that children face in today’s world and recognising their varied needs, particularly in the wake of the Covid pandemic, we can provide appropriate support measures to pupils from a young age.
The Cosy Snug offers a confidential and therapeutic environment that encourages open dialogue and emotional expression – a place where our junior pupils can relax, play and talk, and feel reassured that any feelings or emotions they may have are valid and understood.”
Mrs Farren, accompanied by Poppy, the Junior School’s resident therapy dog, utilises the space to provide pastoral-level support for children and families, including small group discussions and the use of the ‘Worry Monster’, a soft toy that helps children share their concerns and cope with anxieties.
Joseph, also in Year 3, is a big fan of Poppy, and has handcrafted her a dog house out of card. He said: “When I stroke Poppy, she makes me feel safe. I think the Cosy Snug is a really good thing for the school.”
Child psychotherapist Octavia Wilkinson and art psychotherapist Charlotte McRae, who work with pupils of all ages at Dame Allan’s Schools, use the Cosy Snug to run one-to-one therapy sessions with junior pupils under their care.
Miss McRae said: “Our objective is to strengthen a culture where openness, confidence, and the expression of thoughts and feelings are considered normal and encouraged. We aim to create a safe environment that allows us to offer timely and appropriate support to young people throughout their educational journey and beyond.
“By embedding this cultural ethos in education, our focus is on keen observation and prompt, effective care and intervention. Our ultimate goal is to enable them to concentrate on the joys of being a child while unlocking their full potential at school!”
For almost two years, pupils at Dame Allan’s Junior School have had daily access to the wellbeing programme Zumos – an online platform that provides support and resources to help improve the resilience, self-confidence and happiness of its users. Children take termly ‘power’ quizzes on Zumos to help teachers recognise signs of anxiety or depression, and gauge levels of resilience and self-esteem among their pupil-body.
Mrs Farren said giving pupils a voice is of vital importance. “Empowering children to speak out is paramount,” she said “Children need to understand that every emotion is valid, and expressing those feelings is not only normal but essential.
“We encourage children not to bottle up their emotions. By instilling the importance of expressing feelings from a very young age, and providing the necessary tools for resilience, we aim to nurture individuals who surpass us as adults in managing their emotional wellbeing.”
Will Scott, Principal at Dame Allan’s Schools said: “Cultivating a supportive environment where good mental health is prioritised at a young age can positively impact cognitive, emotional and social development, providing a solid foundation for overall wellbeing,” he said.
“Opening the Cosy Snug at the Junior School allows for continuity in the level of care we give pupils at every stage of their Dame Allan’s journey. It’s a pledge of our commitment to address mental health concerns at all ages – to help equip children with vital life skills and develop a sense of self-efficacy, setting the stage for a positive and resilient future.”