Pupil referral unit toolkit: growing for wellbeing
A collection of resources designed to support pupil wellbeing in pupil referral units (PRUs) and specialist educational settings.
Learning objectives:
- Build confidence in gardening through sensory engagement with plants and nature
- Develop self-regulation and emotional literacy using gardening activities
- Explore how caring for plants can support mental wellbeing and social skills
Curriculum links:
- PSHE: Encourages self-regulation, emotional literacy, and personal development through gardening activities
- Science: Enhances understanding of plant biology and environmental stewardship by engaging students in growing and caring for plants
Jump to
Introducing the Feel Good by Growing project
These learning activities support wellbeing by encouraging pupils to grow and care for plants. They focus on supporting pupil voice and agency, overcoming sensory barriers and developing emotional literacy and self-regulation.
The resources were co-developed and piloted with staff across a wide range of pupil referral units and specialist settings from October 2023-May 2024, and include materials developed in partnership with children’s mental health charity Place2Be.
Evidence-backed approach: In the first three months of the project, pupil wellbeing scores improved from a baseline significantly below the national average to scores in line with the national average. This step-change in pupil wellbeing corresponded with pupils taking part in introductory sensory experiences with herb plants and pupil voice being front and centre as pupils discussed and selected a gardening for wellbeing focus they wished to pursue. Approaches chosen by pupils in different PRUs included gardening to raise money for charity and creating an indoor mindfulness garden.
Sustaining improvements in wellbeing: This improvement in pupil wellbeing was sustained at the end of the pilot in May 2024, showing engagement with plants and nature can have a significant impact on the wellbeing of young people with complex Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs.
Getting started
Reducing barriers
Build confidence with the sensory aspects of gardening including using soil, being near insects and gardening in all weathers.
Tuning into plants
Use supermarket herbs as a way into plants: make minty drinks and explore the appearance, feel and taste of two or more herbs.
Establishing agency
Support pupils to identify a gardening for wellbeing focus by sharing these growing ideas including caring for classroom plants.
Developing self-regulation and emotional literacy
Teachers’ notes
Understand how plants support mental wellbeing, and how these resources link to the Zones of Regulation.
How can gardening help me?
Support pupils to identify gardening activities that help them feel better, regain focus and remain calm.
Widgit symbol version and editable Word version
How I feel about gardening
Support pupils to communicate how they feel when they garden, and what makes them feel that way.
Maximising success
Classroom plants
Caring for peace lilies, tender geraniums and aloe vera, and making more plants for free.
Regular gardening
Inspire a connection to nature with weekly activities using these ideas for the autumn, spring and summer terms.
Pupil certificates
Celebrate every achievement with these pocket-sized certificates to take home.
The difference this makes
At a glance
Key highlights from the Feel Good by Growing pilot evaluation report.
In detail
Including analysis of the impact on pupil wellbeing scores by gender and key stage.