THERE are no punchbags, just games, a TV, calming music and blue-painted walls in the place where angry pupils at a west Yorkshire primary go to let off stream.
The five to 11-year-olds let rip in the custom-built room at Cavendish school in Bradford. Anne Parrott, acting head, said: “The idea is for all their feelings to be aired.”
Buddies or pupil mentors and lunchtime staff take the emotionally-fraught children into the room.
Ms Parrott said staff helped the children to rationalise their emotions rather than acting rashly. “They know it’s OK to let out feelings and it is important to praise one another and have positive reinforcement. There aren’t any punchbags in there - the idea is to get away from the aggressive side but let rip with their feelings and then plan what to do.”
The room contains games and a TV. A cartoon video on emotions called Inside Me, which was made by children from the school with Artworks, an Arts and Regeneration organisation, can also be watched. Calming music is played, and there are window blinds in case a child needs privacy.
The room also contains a large oval table for playing games.
“We have had a lot of interest from deputy heads from other schools who want to know how it works,” said Ms Parrott.
The idea came from Mary Robson, a local artist, and the head Margaret Nixon, who is currently on secondment with Education Bradford. Ms Parrott said the area was originally devised for emotionally troubled children but it was extended to all pupils who may feel the need to express their emotions.
It is also an example of the Government’s overall “emotional literacy” drive, which aims to get people to understand their feelings and get on better with others.
Ms Robson, the teaching staff and the children are continuing to work together to decide how pupils will use the room.
