THREE schools have been awarded after excelling in putting children’s social and emotional learning at the heart of all they do.

Bishopton Primary, St Margaret’s Primary in Johnstone, and Todholm Primary in Paisley have been awarded Model School Status, for successfully implementing and prioritising the PATHS® Programme for Schools.

Recently, there has been a particular focus to prioritise children’s wellbeing throughout the recent lockdowns.

Implementation of the programme is supported by Barnardo’s and is designed to facilitate the development of self-control, emotional awareness and inter-personal problem-solving skills, improving the mental health of primary school pupils.

It’s currently running in 30 schools and nursery settings across Renfrewshire.

Gillian Miller, headteacher at St Margaret’s Primary School, said: “We are delighted to receive such a strong accolade. It has had a hugely positive impact on all of our pupils and has involved our families too.”

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Meanwhile, Aileen Cochrane, headteacher at Todholm Primary School, explained that pupils who attend there are appearing more confident and more able to navigate difficult situations and conflict as a result of the programme.

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Last week, staff and a selection of pupils from the three primaries were presented with their awards at separate events by programme co-ordinators from Barnardo’s, who have been working closely with each of the schools to support them in embedding the programme into everyday learning.

Wendy McNaught, headteacher at Bishopton Primary School, said: “We are extremely proud to receive this award, which recognises the hard work of staff, pupils and the wider school community to embed good PATHS practices across Bishopton Primary School.”

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Other schools in Renfrewshire to previously have been awarded include Williamsburgh, St Anthony’s and St Charles’ schools.

Elaine Britton, children’s services manager at Barnardo’s said: “The management teams and teachers have shown such commitment to prioritising children’s emotional and social learning within their classrooms each and every day, and they are really seeing the results from doing this.

“Over the past year in particular, when the focus on mental health for all has never been more important, the schools have remained committed to running the ethos of the programme consistently through everything they do.

“This programme is all about early intervention and prevention, supporting children and young people at the earliest point to stop more serious problems arising.”