Why they’re all growing in confidence

Teachers, parents and pupils have been learning about positive mental health, thanks to a project run by the Council’s Children and Families department.

The Growing Confidence project – sponsored by the Big Lottery Fund and Standard Life – aims to increase awareness about the importance of positive mental health and emotional wellbeing.

So far, it has engaged with more than 4,500 staff, pupils and families. Currently, the project is working in ten schools throughout Edinburgh.

Recently, more than 100 teachers have been taking part in a course called ‘Confident Staff, Confident Children’. In addition, qualified coaches from Standard Life have volunteered to coach more than

50 school staff, including head teacher Lindsey Robertson from Castleview Primary in Niddrie.

“The positive change throughout the school is evident,” she said. “Several staff heading towards retirement have taken on new projects, such as becoming leaders in the field of computers.”

Jane Kelly, acting principal teacher at Castleview, who was keen to get involved on the course, has noticed a growth in the positive atmosphere of the school and says she is “really looking forward to putting her new coaching expertise into practice”.

Another programme, ‘Creating Confident Kids’ offers a whole-school approach, covering topics such as friendship, bullying and achieving goals.

This resource has also been sent to all Edinburgh primary schools.

Need to know more

For further information, please visit www.growingconfidence.org