THIS school makes the mental health and wellbeing of their pupils and staff a top priority.

Thornhill Primary School, Southampton, is an academy that aims to equip their children with "tools for life" throughout their everyday learning.

When the Daily Echo visited, pupils were enjoying day two of a wellbeing workshop.

They were taught about healthy eating, stretched their muscles out in yoga, and practised their relaxing meditation skills.

Pupils also take part in a P For C (Philosophy for Children) every term, when they discuss an open-ended question put to them.

Their most recent debate answered what they believe the bare necessities in life are.

The 405-pupil school also pledges to enhance the pupil's lives by hosting an annual careers fair.

Children can meet people from 17 industries, from the likes of radio stations to universities.

According to headteacher Kerry Stamp, the school is a "cultural capital" which provides children with experiences that "some schools don't do".

Over the last year, pupils have tasted paella during a Spanish day, followed later with an aspiration theme when the school taught them about famous people from Southampton.

The school, which holds a Good Ofsted rating, became an academy in November 2017.

It is part of the multi-academy Hamwic Education Trust, forming the Mayflower Partnership with Sholing Infant School and Sholing Junior School.

The trust pledges to improve life chances for young people.

Daily Echo:

A WORD FROM THE HEADTEACHER

I AM so proud to be the Headteacher of Thornhill Primary School. Our pupils are fantastic!

Our brilliant staff work relentlessly each and every day to live our school ethos of ‘working together to be the best we can be’. It is carefully embedded throughout all aspects of school life.

We truly believe in the whole child and the leaders within the school are highly ambitious ensuring that we drive further improvements and secure the best outcomes for pupils.

Our vision is to create a positive, secure and stimulating environment in which everyone feels valued and can become successful learners.

We are inclusive and enjoy celebrating difference! Our Core Values really underpin the ‘WHY’ and help shape our positive and encouraging culture; Aspiration, Acceptance, Responsibility, Reflection, Openness and Stewardship.

Over the last two days we made the decision to focus on wellbeing. We know that the feeling of wellbeing is so fundamental to the health of both children and adults. It allows us all to overcome difficulties and achieve success. For years we have taught children about healthy bodies, but we want to be able to equip children to have the strategies and tools to also have a healthy mind.

We know that experiences our pupils encounter, even though they may be as young as 4 – 11 years old, can impact on their wellbeing.