Health and Wellbeing
At Earlston Primary School, we believe that children learn best when they feel happy, healthy and secure. We aim to ensure that every child experiences what it means to live a healthy lifestyle — physically, emotionally and socially.
We provide opportunities for pupils to:
We provide opportunities for pupils to:
- Experience the positive aspects of healthy living and active lifestyles, both in and out of school.
- Develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes that promote wellbeing now and for the future.
- Make informed choices to support their physical, emotional and social health.
- Apply their skills and understanding to lead balanced, healthy and active lives.
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Wellbeing Indicators
In line with Getting It Right for Every Child (GIRFEC), we teach children about the eight wellbeing indicators — Safe, Healthy, Achieving, Nurtured, Active, Respected, Responsible and Included. By making these indicators visible and meaningful, children develop an understanding of what wellbeing looks like and how they can contribute to their own and others’ happiness and health. |
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Our pupils have helped to design characters to represent each wellbeing indicator. These are used regularly throughout school life — in assemblies, classroom discussions and celebrations. As a method of positive recognition, pupils receive Wellbeing Indicator Stickers that say “Ask me how I have been…”, encouraging positive conversations between home and school about their achievements and personal growth.
Physical Education
As a Health Promoting School, we work to make health and wellbeing central to everything we do. All pupils participate in two Physical Education (PE) lessons each week with our PE specialist — developing pupils coordination, movement, dance and sports-specific skills.
Throughout the year, children take part in a range of sporting events and festivals, including hockey, athletics, rugby and netball, where they can apply their skills in team and competitive contexts.
We also benefit from the Active Schools Programme, which offers a variety of clubs and activities to encourage participation, teamwork and a lifelong enjoyment of sport.
As a Health Promoting School, we work to make health and wellbeing central to everything we do. All pupils participate in two Physical Education (PE) lessons each week with our PE specialist — developing pupils coordination, movement, dance and sports-specific skills.
Throughout the year, children take part in a range of sporting events and festivals, including hockey, athletics, rugby and netball, where they can apply their skills in team and competitive contexts.
We also benefit from the Active Schools Programme, which offers a variety of clubs and activities to encourage participation, teamwork and a lifelong enjoyment of sport.
Building Resilience
A key part of our Health and Wellbeing curriculum is the Building Resilience programme. Resilience — the ability to cope with life’s challenges and adapt positively to change — is vital for good mental health and wellbeing.
This whole-school programme is led by Skipper, a friendly and relatable character who helps guide children through the process of understanding emotions, managing challenges and developing positive coping strategies. Skipper helps children learn that while we all face “stormy seas” at times, there are tools and strategies we can use to steer ourselves back to calmer waters.
The programme explores ten key themes that support children in building self-awareness, confidence and emotional strength. It is delivered through class lessons, group discussions and whole-school assemblies, with resources adapted for Early, First and Second Level. This means pupils revisit and deepen their understanding of resilience as they progress through school.
Through Skipper’s story and the programme’s practical lessons, children learn that resilience is something we can all develop — and that by supporting each other, we can all become more confident, positive and caring individuals.
A key part of our Health and Wellbeing curriculum is the Building Resilience programme. Resilience — the ability to cope with life’s challenges and adapt positively to change — is vital for good mental health and wellbeing.
This whole-school programme is led by Skipper, a friendly and relatable character who helps guide children through the process of understanding emotions, managing challenges and developing positive coping strategies. Skipper helps children learn that while we all face “stormy seas” at times, there are tools and strategies we can use to steer ourselves back to calmer waters.
The programme explores ten key themes that support children in building self-awareness, confidence and emotional strength. It is delivered through class lessons, group discussions and whole-school assemblies, with resources adapted for Early, First and Second Level. This means pupils revisit and deepen their understanding of resilience as they progress through school.
Through Skipper’s story and the programme’s practical lessons, children learn that resilience is something we can all develop — and that by supporting each other, we can all become more confident, positive and caring individuals.
Relationships, Sexual Health & Parenthood
At Earlston Primary School, we follow Scottish Borders Council’s planners for Relationships and Sexual Health Education, ensuring that all learning is age-appropriate, factual and delivered with sensitivity and respect.
This part of the curriculum helps children understand healthy relationships, respect for themselves and others, and the physical and emotional changes that occur as they grow. It encourages positive attitudes towards diversity, equality and personal wellbeing, helping children to make safe and informed choices.
We use the national resource RSHP.scot to support our teaching. This website provides all the educational materials used in school, allowing parents and carers to see exactly what is being taught at each stage. We encourage families to visit the site to gain a clear understanding of the lessons and language used with children.
By working in partnership with parents, we ensure that children receive consistent, supportive messages about growing up, relationships and personal wellbeing — both at home and at school.
At Earlston Primary School, we follow Scottish Borders Council’s planners for Relationships and Sexual Health Education, ensuring that all learning is age-appropriate, factual and delivered with sensitivity and respect.
This part of the curriculum helps children understand healthy relationships, respect for themselves and others, and the physical and emotional changes that occur as they grow. It encourages positive attitudes towards diversity, equality and personal wellbeing, helping children to make safe and informed choices.
We use the national resource RSHP.scot to support our teaching. This website provides all the educational materials used in school, allowing parents and carers to see exactly what is being taught at each stage. We encourage families to visit the site to gain a clear understanding of the lessons and language used with children.
By working in partnership with parents, we ensure that children receive consistent, supportive messages about growing up, relationships and personal wellbeing — both at home and at school.
Substance Use Education
We also follow Scottish Borders Council’s framework for Substance Use Education, which provides children with accurate, age-appropriate information about the effects and risks associated with tobacco, alcohol, medicines and other substances.
Lessons are designed to encourage pupils to make safe and informed choices, develop personal responsibility, and understand how to seek help and support if they ever feel unsure or pressured.
This learning is reinforced through wider discussions about peer influence, decision-making and wellbeing, helping children to build confidence and resilience as they grow.
We also follow Scottish Borders Council’s framework for Substance Use Education, which provides children with accurate, age-appropriate information about the effects and risks associated with tobacco, alcohol, medicines and other substances.
Lessons are designed to encourage pupils to make safe and informed choices, develop personal responsibility, and understand how to seek help and support if they ever feel unsure or pressured.
This learning is reinforced through wider discussions about peer influence, decision-making and wellbeing, helping children to build confidence and resilience as they grow.