Wellbeing at the Junior School

Our ACCIE values are at the core of pupil life, making The Edinburgh Academy a school that prioritises emotional wellbeing. Every member of the Junior School team is wholeheartedly committed to seeing, supporting and celebrating every child as an individual.

Before each child joins the Junior School or Nursery, we gather helpful information about their health and wellbeing so we can support them fully from the very first day they become part of The Edinburgh Academy community.

Our Class Teachers put a great deal of heart into building strong, genuine relationships with the children in their care—relationships rooted in trust, openness and respect, strengthening resilience and confidence in children. Weekly Wellbeing lessons and gentle one‑to‑one check‑ins give teachers the chance to talk to the children about friendships, their work and their play, so that they can respond quickly whenever support is needed.

Alongside this, our Specialist Teachers and Learning Support Assistants work closely with Class Teachers, sharing insights and strategies so that every child feels understood, supported and encouraged.
 

The Wider Network of Support

We believe wholeheartedly in the strength of support that comes from working in close partnership with parents. Our approach is guided not only by our ACCIE values but also by the principles of GIRFEC, using the My World Triangle to help us understand each child’s needs in the context of their whole world — at home, at school and within the wider community. This shared framework helps us build a complete picture of every child’s wellbeing so that we can respond with care, clarity and confidence.

Termly, formal meetings with parents give us dedicated time to share key information about a child’s learning and wellbeing, while our open‑door policy ensures that communication remains positive, open and ongoing. Our Pastoral Lead Teacher organises monthly Pastoral Coffee Mornings, which offer a supportive space where parents can connect, share experiences and seek guidance. Alongside this, her weekly work with individual children is thoughtfully tailored to their needs, helping each child feel understood, emotionally supported and able to thrive.

We are also proud to offer Seasons for Growth, which is a peer-support programme designed to help children understand and cope with significant life changes, loss and grief while exploring how we can learn to live with and grow from these experiences.
 

Wellbeing in the Curriculum

At the Junior School, Wellbeing is not just a standalone lesson — it is a thread woven through every part of our curriculum and daily life. We want children to feel safe, valued and confident, because we know that when their wellbeing is nurtured, they are far more able to learn, explore and thrive.

Our weekly Morning Meetings and Wellbeing lessons give children time and space to reflect on their emotions, relationships and experiences, helping them build the skills they need to understand themselves and others. These lessons draw on the principles of The Curriculum for Excellence, the GIRFEC wellbeing approach and the UNCRC to help children think about the different people, places and influences that shape their world.

Across all subjects — from the classroom to the playground, from Music to Outdoor Learning — teachers intentionally create opportunities for children to practise empathy, resilience, teamwork and self‑awareness. This whole‑school approach to wellbeing ensures that it is not just taught, but lived, every single day.