Bromsgrove Prep and Pre-Prep - Life Skills Newsletter (Lent 2026)
LifeSkills
Pre-Prep School
As with all parts of our School, our aim at the Pre-Prep is to ensure that every child develops the skills that they need to grow and flourish, not only academically, but personally and socially. We strive to help each child understand who they are and support them, as they discover their sense of belonging within our community, so that they can be fully prepared to thrive in every sense, beyond our classroom doors.
Providing the children with Life skills starts from the moment they enter our School, and supporting wellbeing is part of everyday life in Nursery and Reception. We aim to ensure children feel safe, valued and confident so that they are ready to learn and build positive relationships.
Outdoor play continues to play an important role in supporting wellbeing. This term the children have particularly enjoyed den building and nature walks, collecting leaves and noticing seasonal changes. Physical activities such as balancing trails, digging with spades, and obstacle courses help children release energy while developing confidence and resilience. We also regularly use short mindfulness activities such as ‘rainbow breathing’, and quiet listening games after playtimes to help children calm their bodies and refocus.
Sensory experiences also support emotional regulation. Children frequently choose playdough and clay modelling, or water play and sensory trays filled with rice and natural materials. These activities are especially helpful for children who need quiet time or support managing their ‘big feelings’.
There is also a strong focus on developing social skills in the Early Years. During ‘circle time’ and story sessions, the children talk about emotions and friendships, and staff support children to share, take turns and use kind words.
Through these daily experiences we continue to promote positive mental health, resilience, and happiness across the Pre-Prep.
Throughout the Pre-Prep this term, the children have had the opportunity to engage in such a wonderful and varied selection of activities, and they have clearly enjoyed every moment! From exciting African animal encounters to calming yoga and mindfulness stone painting, the children have experienced:
• Clay workshops
• Collaborative building projects with ‘Kapla’
• Our Pre-Prep ‘Wellbeing Week’ designed to coincide with Children’s Mental Health Week
• An animal themed yoga workshop
• A virtual visit from an author to celebrate National Storytelling Week
• A visit from an author (and Old Bromsgrovian) to launch our Pre-Prep Reading Challenge
• A fossil hunters’ workshop
• The Pre-Prep Movie Night
• Safer Internet Day
• Wear It Wild Day celebrations in support of the Worldwide Fund for Nature
• Themed lunches
• A Wellbeing Raffle, kindly provided by the Parents’ Association
After a busy start to the Lent Term, the children returned to School after the half term break ready to enjoy:
• A visit from our Senior School students to share their stories and experiences of Lunar New Year
• An African drumming workshop
• Parents visiting the Pre-Prep for story time
• World Book Day dressing up and activities
• A Shakespearean themed drama and theatre workshop
• A dance workshop inspired by favourite year group stories
• A book fair
• Participating in poetry performances
• The Pre-Prep Natural History Museum, hosted by Year One children with an exclusive guest list!
• The Year Two ‘Out of Africa’ Creative Curriculum assembly
• Supporting Comic Relief
• An Easter themed raffle and Easter egg hunt, provided by the PA to celebrate Easter and the end of Term.
For those children with enough energy at the end of the day, many have chosen to join in with one or more of the many clubs on offer:
This term we celebrated Children’s Mental Health Week. We had two assemblies across Years 3, 4, 5 and Years 6, 7, 8. We used the opportunity to highlight ways to access mental health support online and in school. Having an adult of trust to turn to in school is very important for pupils when they need to express something that is on their mind, and affecting their emotional wellbeing.
We also had two Senior School Peer Mentors come along and share their time with pupils in the Lavender Room, during lunch times. These Senior pupils have celebrated Children’s Mental Health Week by kindly making friendship bracelets with younger Prep School pupils. They had a really fun time whilst acknowledging the need for connection to help mental health flourish.
We have been very lucky to have a joint venture between the Prep School Wellbeing Monitors and the Senior School Peer Mentors. Being a good listener is a very important role for our Wellbeing Monitors and Mentors are giving their advice and support to our monitors.
As many parents may already know, we have started the process to become re-accredited with the Wellbeing Award for Schools. It has been really beneficial for pupils to see their survey results, and how changes are being made on their behalf. In the Prep School we have been updating notice boards and we have enlisted the Wellbeing Monitors to discuss their listening service. We are looking forward to supporting more pupils via peer support in School.
Mock Magistrates Welcome Visiting Speaker
Our new Mock Magistrates activity rounded off its first half-term by welcoming Mr Busby. Over recent weeks, Year 7 and 8 pupils have been learning about the workings of the Magistrates’ Court, how to present and examine evidence, and how to build cases for both prosecution and defence. Pictured are Year 7 pupils Xenia, Isobel, Oscar and Clarice, led by Edie and Sharon (L6) with support from Mrs Snelling. Mr Busby’s visit provided a fascinating insight into court life, and the realities of working in the legal profession. We are very grateful for his time and support.
Children’s Mental Health Week was a great time to talk about fears and worries, and introduce Lumi Nova to children. Parents and carers can use Lumi Nova to support their children with common worries. Lumi Nova offers a wide range of goals to support children build confidence.
What is Lumi Nova?
• Lumi Nova is an intergalactic adventure game to support young people to fight fears and manage worries.
• Whilst exploring planets, customising characters and earning treasure, your child breaks their fears and worries down into manageable steps, learning life-long skills and building resilience.
• Watch this short animated video to learn more: Lumi Nova Introduction Video
Who can use Lumi Nova?
Lumi Nova was created for 7-12 year olds (school years 3-7) who are having difficulties with fears, worries, or anxiety related to social situations, separation or phobias.
Lumi Nova is ideal for children who may:
• Lack confidence to try new things
• Seem unable to face simple everyday challenges
• Find it hard to concentrate
• Have problems with sleeping or eating
• Have angry outbursts
• Have negative thoughts about what’s going to happen
• Be avoiding everyday activities, eg. going to school, seeing friends
• Become irritable, tearful or clingy
How do you access Lumi Nova?
Accessing Lumi Nova is quick and easy. Use the link below to register and you will receive a text message to guide you through getting started.
Luminova.app/handw
To find out more visit luminova.app
Birthday Cards for Amelia
Amelia Kolpa from Rowley Regis had a neuroblastoma, and has been in and out of hospital many times since the age of two. With the support of local media, an appeal was launched to help her celebrate her 8th birthday on 3rd March by attempting to break the UK record for the most birthday cards received. During PSHE lessons, pupils were given the opportunity to make a birthday card for Amelia; many of our Bromsgrove pupils took great joy in making cards for her. She smashed her original target of 8 000 cards and was gifted more than 300 000. It was wonderful that Bromsgrove students were able to support her. With sadness, Amelia lost her battle against cancer on 17th March 2026. What a truly inspirational young person. Her family and friends are in our thoughts.
Wellbeing Platform
Teen Tips is our free resource, gifted very kindly, by the Parent’s Association. By accessing your account, you have access to free emotional and mental health workshops and advice. To register for your free account, sign up here.
More information can be found at: Teen Tips - Onsite & Online Training for Parents & Schools
At Bromsgrove School, we recognise the importance of Personal, Social, Health, and Economic Education (PSHE) in nurturing the whole child. To support our delivery of high-quality PSHE, we use the Jigsaw platform, a comprehensive cohesive and progressive scheme of learning which meet all the outcomes in the DfE statutory Relationships, Sex and Health Education guidance.
Year 3
Difficult challenges and achieving success. Dreams and ambitions. New challenges. Motivation and enthusiasm. Recognising and trying to overcome obstacles. Evaluating learning processes. Managing feelings. Simple budgeting.
Year 4
Year 3
The Jigsaw curriculum is organised into six-half term units with the themes outlined below. The themes are revisited each year, with content and learning outcomes carefully tailored to match the developmental stages of each year group.
Lent Term 1 - Dreams and Goals
Year 5
Future dreams. The importance of money. Jobs and careers. Dream job and how to get there. Goals in different cultures. Supporting others (charity). Motivation.
Hopes and dreams. Overcoming disappointment. Creating new, realistic dreams. Achieving goals. Working in a group. Celebrating contributions. Resilience. Positive attitudes.
Exercise. Fitness challenges. Food labelling and healthy swaps. Attitudes towards drugs. Keeping safe online and offline. Respect for myself and others. Healthy and safe choices.
Year 7
Celebrating success. Identifying goals. Employment. Learning from mistakes. Overcoming challenges. Planning skills. Safe and unsafe choices. Substances. Gangs, county lines and exploitation. Having control over your life. Emergency first aid.
Year 6
Taking personal responsibility. How substances affect the body. Exploitation including ‘county lines’ and gang culture. Emotional and mental health. Managing stress.
Lent Term 2 - Healthy Me
Year 5
Smoking, vaping and alcohol. Alcohol and anti-social behaviour. Emergency aid. Body image. Relationships with food. Healthy choices. Motivation and behaviour.
Year 4
Healthier friendships. Group dynamics. Smoking, alcohol and vaping. Assertiveness. Peer pressure. Celebrating inner strength.
Year 8
Long-term goals. Skills and qualifications. Careers. Money and happiness. Ethics and mental wellbeing. Budgeting. Variation in income. Positive and negative impact of money. Online safety and legal responsibilities including gambling issues.
Year 7
Flourishing Fivers. Stress and anxiety; the developing child’s brain. Mindfulness. Managing physical activity and mental health. Effects of substances. Legal consequences. Nutrition, sleep and vaccinations. Making healthy choices. Physical illness and medicine.
Year 6
Taking personal responsibility. How substances affect the body. Exploitation including ‘county lines’ and gang culture. Emotional and mental health. Managing stress.
Year 8
Types of health. Nutrition and exercise. Cardiovascular health and diabetes. Risks. Illegal and legal substances. Dental health. Skin health. Vaccinations. Peer pressure. The teenage brain. Stressbox – kindly funded by the Parents’ Association.
Pupil Voice
Pupil Voice, led by Monty Y and Emily K, meet every two weeks and have been instrumental in gathering views from their peers. They successfully led a wholeSchool vote to decide the Parent’s Association charity fundraiser.
They also met with Mr Giles to discuss ways to further develop and improve School lunches. The group continue to bring thoughtful ideas and suggestions to each meeting, showing commitment to making positive changes within the School.
Hygiene Talk
Nurse Bailey from the Clinic delivered an informative and engaging talk to our Year 5 and Year 6 pupils, on the importance of hygiene, staying healthy, and basic first aid.
The session focused on practical steps pupils can take to look after themselves and others, including effective handwashing, maintaining a balanced lifestyle, recognising common illnesses, and knowing what to do in minor emergencies.
The children listened attentively and participated enthusiastically, asking thoughtful questions and sharing their own ideas. The talk further enriched our PSHE provision, reinforcing key messages about “Healthy Me”- this term’s theme.
We are very grateful to Nurse Bailey for giving her time to support our pupils’ learning and wellbeing.
The Prep School were treated to a banquet to celebrate Chinese New Year of the Horse, and to wrap up the Chinese themed half-term for Global Voices. The food was a big hit, but the children especially loved eating with chopsticks and reading the messages inside their fortune cookies.
‘Xin nian hao!’ (Happy New Year). May it be a happy and successful Year of the Horse for everyone.
PSHE - Future Careers
This term in PSHE, Year 7 and Year 8 pupils have been exploring their skills and interests and how these can link to future jobs and careers. Pupils have been using the Unifrog platform to start creating their own careers profiles, which they will continue to develop as they move into the Senior School. We encourage you to talk with your child about what they have learned. Your child can log in to Unifrog at home using their usual school login details (Single Sign-On). For further information, please contact Ms Kate Darwood k.darwood@bromsgrove-school.co.uk
Supporting Cancer Research
This term we voted for charities we would like to support. Pupils chose Cancer Research UK. The School community raised £800 with the help of our amazing Parent’s Association.
Forest School
The pupils have been working with willow in the sunshine, weaving Spring wreaths, making bird feeders and whittling with penknives. They are also developing their knot tying skills, practising the clove hitch and learning the sheet bend; they even managed to join all twenty ropes together to make a class ring.
Eco-Committee
Our committee have been busy cleaning up the local environment as part of the Keep Britain Clean campaign. It’s so nice to see the signs of Spring with the daffodils in full bloom.
Gardening Club
The pupils were fortunate enough to have the opportunity to use the produce harvested from our School garden to make leek and potato soup. Steve, School Chef, guided the children to cut the onions and potatoes which were cooked with leeks. Finally, stock was added before the soup was blended. What a tasty treat, with no carbon footprint!
Kindness Assembly
On 5th March, a group of Senior School students visited Years 6 to 8 pupils to share personal experiences of kindness, and its impact within the Bromsgrove community. Supported by Mr Barnett from the Prep School Anti-Bullying Team, the assembly offered thoughtful reflections and practical ways to make kindness a daily habit.
The Senior students spoke honestly about how simple acts such as holding a door, offering a smile or inviting someone to join in, can transform someone’s day and strengthen a sense of connection. The assembly explored kindness as a pathway to happiness: it boosts our wellbeing, creates a sense of connection and sends out a ripple effect that reaches far beyond the immediate act. Senior students reminded Prep School children that kindness doesn’t cost a penny, and often requires nothing more than noticing someone who might need a little encouragement or warmth. Pupils were encouraged to be kind to themselves as well as others, remembering that we can never truly know what someone else may be going through but kindness is always the right tonic. The assembly celebrated the idea of ‘sprinkling kindness like confetti’ not as an inconvenience, but as something that should feel natural and authentic.
Mr Barnett also reflected on moments when unkindness occurs and how Bromsgrove’s strong support system helps pupils repair and rebuild relationships.
Finally, children were invited to imagine their future selves looking back on their Prep School and early Senior School years, considering what advice they might one day give should they stand infront of Prep School pupils. The message was clear, ‘kindness shapes not only the community around us, but also the people we become.’
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Former Bromsgrove School teacher Paul Greetham returned to Bromsgrove School during Lent 2 to speak to Year 7 and Year 8 pupils about Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, supporting the School’s Bring Your Whole Self to Bromsgrove initiative. Paul, previously Head of Boys’ PE and Houseparent of Lupton, shared his experiences from Bromsgrove, his current work with Warwickshire and England Cricket, and his volunteer role with Diversity Role Models.
He spoke openly about not feeling able to live authentically until his mid-twenties, explaining how this shaped his commitment to EDI. Linking his story to the protected characteristics and the Equality Act 2010, he emphasised the responsibility to create a School where everyone can feel safe, respected and able to thrive. His talk combined warmth, humour and openness while delivering a powerful and thought-provoking message grounded in his own personal experience. Pupils engaged thoughtfully, and we are grateful to Paul for his inspiring visit and talk.
January/February - Act For Autism course
Created by Tessa Morton, Co-Founder of Act For Autism, this course will introduce you to the 3C
Week 2 Blog : Permissive parenting by Dr Tamara Scully, Clinical Psychologist
Week 3 Webinar : How to parent together when your parenting styles differ with Dr Maryhan Baker, Psychologist and Parenting Expert
Week 4 Blog : Uninvolved parenting by Dr Tamara Scully, Clinical Psychologist
Bonus Podcast : Sexual Violence Awareness with Action Breaks Silence
The Wellbeing Hub Content Lineup -
Spring Term 2024 -
Week 5 Activity : Technology and my brain for pupils aged 8-11 by Dr Crystal Collier
January/February - Act For Autism course
Created by Tessa Morton, Co-Founder of Act For Autism, this course will introduce you to the 3C pathway and explore topics including sensory challenges, communication strategies, autism in girls, teenagers and lots more. This course will be a permanent feature in The Wellbeing Hub, but the Q&A is a live session.
Module 1 A better understanding of autism - Connection (Wednesday, 10th January)
Module 2 The sensory system - Calm (Wednesday, 17th January)
Module 3 Talking about feelings - Communication (Wednesday, 24th January)
Module 4 Girls, the teenage brain, and school (Wednesday, 31st January)
Module 5 Live Q&A - with Tessa Morton (Wednesday, 7th February)
February - Parenting styles
Week 1 Blogs : Authoritative and authoritarian parenting by Julia Philpott, Parenting Coach
Week 2 Blog : Permissive parenting by Dr Tamara Scully, Clinical Psychologist
Week 3 Webinar : How to parent together when your parenting styles differ with Dr Maryhan Baker, Psychologist and Parenting Expert
Week 4 Blog : Uninvolved parenting by Dr Tamara Scully, Clinical Psychologist
Bonus Podcast : Sexual Violence Awareness with Action Breaks Silence
