Broomhill Junior School

About the school's work

Physical Activity Specialist Award: 29 May 2024 to 29 May 2027

Congratulations to Broomhill Junior School on achieving the Physical Activity Specialist Award.

The school demonstrated their dedication to promoting high quality physical education, by encouraging participation, removing barriers to exercise, and celebrating the whole school community's achievements.

The strengths of their award submission included, but are not limited to, the following:

• Promoting period dignity by introducing period education starting in year 4 and providing free period products in school bathrooms.
• Addressing economic barriers by ensuring access to free sports clubs, providing low-cost or free PE kit, offering specialist provision in lessons, and subsidising swimming lessons.
• Establishing mixed netball and basketball clubs, as well as a girls' football team, in response to pupil feedback, resulting in significantly increased interest.
• Promoting locally available physical activity opportunities and celebrating sports teams’ achievements in school’s newsletter.

Well done Broomhill Junior School!

Essential Award 29 May 2024 to 29 May 2027

Congratulations to Broomhill Junior for renewing their Essential Award!

After 3 years of holding the Essential Award, the school has firmly embedded a variety of methods which help them to understand and support the health and wellbeing needs of their whole school population.

Some of these methods include the schools’ health data, pupil questionnaires on health and wellbeing, behaviour data, Nurture Groups, regular staff meetings, and parent and staff questionnaires.

Broomhill Junior continues to participate in the Pupil Voice Survey, and PSHE lessons are used to help the school further identify health issues and trends.

The school actively seeks representation of all pupils groups through the use of multilingual class Dojo, regular school council meetings, collection of views in lessons, and explicitly by governors.

To cement the school’s commitment to the mental health and wellbeing of the children, as well as staff development, Broomhill Junior School invested in MELSA training and counselling/check-in sessions for staff.

Broomhill Junior is specifically proud of the use of the A-Z book: each pupil has their own book which goes through school with them, equipping them with mental health strategies that they can carry with them through life.

Testimonial from the school:

“We have upped our approach to mental health alongside healthy schools. It has impacted us through the travel initiatives and healthy eating award too. The programme has made us assess our provision and helped improve already impressive areas such as when we achieved the mental health award.”

Well done Broomhill Junior School!

Bristol Ideal Specialist Award: July 2023 to July 2026

The Bristol Ideal Award is a set of standards for settings to follow to improve their approach to healthy relationships, domestic abuse, and sexual violence.

Broomhill Junior's effort on the Bristol Ideal award is impressive and truly deserving of recognition. The school went the extra mile to involve the entire school community and make them aware of their work for the award.

The school felt that opening their doors and being more available has resulted in increased trust and has strengthened relationships with parents and families.

All staff undertake safeguarding and relevant training, but they are particularly proud that two members of staff trained specifically on domestic violence and sexual abuse (DVSA) (child and adult).

The staff are versed in challenging any racist or homophobic incidents using a supportive and educational approach, training on how to report / whistleblowing / Local Authority Designated Officer (LADO) etc is also available.

Broomhill Junior School values include collaboration, inclusion, and respect. The school focuses on promoting diversity and challenging stereotypes.

Here are a few selected examples of their good practice:

• They have a clear and well communicated policy on reporting any worrying language or behaviour e.g., name calling, jokes, cat calling, and inappropriate touching.
• Consent has been added to RSE teaching and policy in line with recommendations from Keeping Children Safe in Education (KCSIE)report.
• They now cover the world reimagined programme across the school, which is a positive development from Black History Month

Based on pupil’s feedback, changes have been made cloakrooms and breaks had been made to increase pupils’ sense of security/safety.

Well done Broomhill Junior School!

Mental Health and Wellbeing Award: October 2025

Highlights of the schools work:

• Embedding mental health and wellbeing into daily school life through three weekly sessions, personal wellbeing workbooks for each pupil, and termly off-curriculum Mental Health Days.
• Supporting staff wellbeing with 1:1 external check-ins, weekly safeguarding meetings, regular supervision, and an open-door policy.
• Providing extensive staff training in Thrive, Mental Health First Aid, Attachment Theory, Zones of Regulation, and trauma-informed practices.
• Using restorative approaches and zones of regulation to support pupils with adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and emotional needs.
• Actively gathering pupil voice through school council meetings, pupil conferencing, worry boxes, and regular questionnaires.
• Engaging families through coffee mornings, Class Dojo communication, and inclusive events such as family challenges, assemblies, and seasonal celebrations.
• Working closely with external agencies including CAMHS and PMHS to ensure smooth referral pathways and holistic support.
• Teaching pupils how to access confidential support services and ensuring they know key helpline numbers like Childline.
• Monitoring and supporting vulnerable pupils using CPOMS, behaviour and attendance data, and feedback from staff and pupils.

The school are most proud of:

"We are really proud of our whole-school ethos around mental health. It’s a priority for both staff and pupils. We protect time for mental health sessions, offer dedicated mental health days, and actively share our understanding of wellbeing. Senior leaders work to reduce workload and support staff through varied wellbeing offers, including external check-ins and shorter meetings. We believe that supporting staff wellbeing is essential to supporting our pupils."

As a result of working with the Bristol Healthy Schools Programme the school noticed:

"Children and parents are more engaged, and staff feel better equipped to support pupils. Our pupils are happier to come to school and feel heard when they talk about things that worry them. Working towards the award has helped us reflect on our practice and strengthen our commitment to wellbeing for everyone in our school community."