RENFREWSHIRE primary schools are leading the way on the path to improved mental health services for pupils – and they want the world to know about it.
Visitors from across the globe visited St Anthony’s Primary, in Johnstone, and Williamsburgh Primary, in Paisley, to see the benefits of the Barnardo’s backed PATHS project, which aims to improve youngsters’ mental health, relationships and educational attainment.
It has been running in 13 Renfrewshire schools since 2013, and is due to be rolled out to a further 14 schools in the local authority from August, with the intention that it will be adopted by all of the primary schools in Renfrewshire.
Dorothy Morelli, PATHS master trainer and CEO of PATHS Education world-wide, based in Chicago, brought delegates from Singapore, Spain, Northern Ireland and England to observe class behaviour by pupils and teachers using the programme.
John Trainer, head of early years and inclusion for Renfrewshire Council, said: “The impact on improving outcomes for children in those schools has been very impressive.”
Julie Healy, head of programmes, Barnardo’s, said: “The work that we do in schools is the embodiment of the whole school approach benefitting pupils, school staff and parents.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here