Health and Wellbeing at Barrs Court School

At Barrs Court School, Health and Wellbeing supports pupils to develop the skills, confidence, and understanding they need to lead safe, healthy, and fulfilling lives—both now and in adulthood.

Health and Wellbeing learning is practical, personalised, and carefully adapted so that every pupil can engage meaningfully, develop emotional resilience, and make progress in ways that are appropriate to their individual needs.

We place a strong emphasis on emotional wellbeing, mental health, physical health, personal safety, and preparation for adulthood.

What Is Health and Wellbeing Learning?

Health and Wellbeing helps pupils to:

• Understand and manage their emotions

• Develop positive mental and physical wellbeing

• Build healthy relationships and social skills

• Learn about personal safety, boundaries, and safeguarding

• Develop independence, self-care, and life skills

• Prepare for adulthood, including future pathways and employment

Learning supports pupils to recognise and communicate their feelings, make informed choices, understand risk, and develop confidence in school, the community, online, and in future work-related settings.

What Subjects Are Included?

Health and Wellbeing at Barrs Court School includes:

• PSHE and RSHE – relationships, safety, wellbeing, rights, and responsibilities

• Physical Education (PE) – physical health, movement, coordination, teamwork, and confidence

• Life Skills and Food Technology – independence, self-care, cooking, healthy choices, and daily living skills

• Careers and Preparation for Adulthood – confidence, communication, responsibility, and understanding future pathways

These areas work together to support pupils’ holistic development.

How Is Health and Wellbeing Adapted for My Child?

Health and Wellbeing learning is delivered through three pathways:

• Pre-formal – sensory, experiential learning focused on comfort, regulation, and early interaction

• Semi-formal – structured, practical learning with repetition and strong visual and communication support

• Formal – more structured learning developing independence, decision-making, relationships, and preparation for adulthood

Progress may be shown through increased emotional regulation, communication, confidence, independence, safer choices, or improved participation—not just written work.

What Will My Child Experience?

Pupils may:

• Learn through real-life situations such as routines, play, cooking, physical activity, and community access

• Develop emotional regulation strategies with adult support and co-regulation

• Explore relationships, boundaries, consent, and safety in clear, age-appropriate ways

• Use communication methods that work best for them, including speech, AAC, symbols, visuals, gestures, or behaviour

• Build confidence, teamwork, and resilience through PE and group activities

• Develop independence and employability skills linked to future pathways

Learning is structured, predictable, and supportive, helping pupils feel safe and confident.

How Do Teachers Teach Health and Wellbeing?

Health and Wellbeing teaching is practical, functional, and rooted in everyday life. Staff:

• Teach skills through real-life contexts pupils will experience again

• Break learning into small, manageable steps

• Model skills before pupils practise them

• Use clear routines, visuals, and consistent language

• Revisit key messages through repetition and overlearning

• Teach emotional regulation in the moment, with calm, supportive responses

• Deliver RSHE sensitively, focusing on safety, understanding, and respect

Learning is reinforced throughout the school day, not just in timetabled lessons.

How Is Learning Adapted Across Pathways?

• Pre-formal – sensory experiences, cause-and-effect learning, adult-led and responsive teaching

• Semi-formal – structured routines, practical tasks, real-life learning, and development of functional independence

• Formal – role play, discussion, problem-solving, understanding choices and consequences, and preparation for adulthood

How Is Progress Shared?

Health and Wellbeing progress is not measured through tests. Instead, staff focus on:

• Emotional awareness and regulation

• Communication of needs, feelings, and choices

• Understanding of safety, boundaries, and relationships

• Growing independence and confidence

• Participation in learning, social situations, and real-life activities

Progress is shared through photos, short videos, observations, and professional reflections using Evidence for Learning, so families can clearly see what pupils are learning and achieving.

Want to Find Out More?

You can download our full Health and Wellbeing Strategy below. This explains how learning is delivered across PSHE, RSHE, PE, Life Skills, Food Technology, and Careers, and how we support every pupil to develop wellbeing, independence, and preparation for adulthood.