Longhorsley Church of England First School celebrated the Grand Opening of their long awaited Wellbeing Room this week.
Named the 'Longhorsley Lounge of Peace' after democratic voting by the children, the Interim Diocese Director of Education, Gill Booth, cut the ribbon to declare it open and ready for use. All Children and parents visited the room to give it their sign of approval. One parent commented, ‘it is so lovely to see the children so excited’.
The Wellbeing room was an idea developed through a local partnership funding opportunity, which Executive Headteacher, Nichola Brannen, had applied for. Although it has taken the school a further two years, and the amazing support of the school’s PTA to raise further funding, they have now been able to buy the insulated outdoor garden room to create their ‘Longhorsley Lounge of Peace’ to support the children’s wellbeing in school.
The idea behind it is that it is a space and place for children to regulate their emotions and simply find some calm, a chill out space for individual children or small groups of children to visit throughout the day; putting the wellbeing of the children first in line with their Christian school ethos and their daily zones of regulation, allowing all children to flourish. School Governor Fiona Ellis commented, ‘we all share a responsibility to promote the mental health and wellbeing of our children and this is an excellent way to do it by having a devoted space as part of our school’.
A true team effort, the children have all been involved in coming up with a wishlist of ideas to furnish the room, including a soft sofa, bean bag, cupboard, table, as well as the essentials such as fairy lights and a chandelier! Generous parental contributions have allowed the vision to become reality with staff and children building the furniture together!
If anyone is interested in visiting the school to see what Longhorsley Church of England School provides for all children, aged 3 to 9, please do not hesitate to contact longhorsleyadmin@fedlongwhaltschools.uk or ring 01670 788316.
In addition, their Federated school, Whalton Church of England School, currently has some remaining places for Reception children to Year 6. https://www.whalton.northumberland.sch.uk/