‘Inspirational’ Warrington teachers go ‘above and beyond’ for students

Birchwood College played host to a group of teachers from schools across the town for the first ever Warrington Mindfulness Retreat yesterday, Tuesday.

The event was led by Faiy Rushton, education and training development manager at the Mindfulness in Schools Project, Emma Mills, head teacher at Birchwood Community High School, and Esther Ghey.

Through the day, the teachers discussed the importance of mindfulness, a cognitive skill to help focus on the present moment and build emotional and mental resilience.

The teachers heard from speeches in the morning, include one from Emma Mills (Image: Supplied)

Almost every school in Warrington now has members of staff that are due to, or already have, begun mindfulness training, after the successful launch of the Peace in Mind UK campaign led by Esther.

“It’s really lovely and so inspirational to see all of the teachers that are going above and beyond for their students and that are really supporting the campaign and getting on board with mindfulness,” said Esther.

“It shows that teachers believe that we need to do something to help young people with their mental health and build that resilience and empathy in schools.

“Warrington as a town, even though it’s quite a big town, it’s such a strong community.

“All together we are stronger, and I’m proud of Warrington for backing this campaign.”

Esther started campaigning for mindfulness in schools in memory of her daughter, Brianna

Esther’s daughter, Brianna, was brutally murdered in February 2023 by two teenagers, Scarlett Jenkinson and Eddie Ratcliffe.

After her death, Esther learned that Brianna had been searching for harmful content online, including content for eating disorders and self-harm.

Now, her mum wants the Peace in Mind campaign to help young people across the UK, not just in Warrington, by giving them the tools they need to help with their mental health.

“[The campaign] is keeping Brianna’s memory alive and helping young people that are suffering the way that Brianna did when she was with us as well,” said Esther.

“Focussing on something so positive and making a change in Brianna’s name has really helped.

“It’s helped me to focus and channel my grief into something that is really important to me.

“I know how much mindfulness has impacted my life for the better and to give the gift of mindfulness to children in our community is really important."

Emma and Esther have been working together on the campaign

Birchwood High School, where Brianna was a student, started mindfulness training earlier this year, offering training to the teachers and leading group sessions with students.

“We’ve had lots and lots of positive feedback from parents and from children where they said they’ve seen a difference with sleeping,” said Emma.

“They year 11s were very vocal about it helping with exam stress in the lead up to their GCSEs.

“You can see that difference and it’s that language that you’re able to use with the children as well as being more mindful and them understanding what it means, and that helps to create a nicer kind of culture within the school.”

Emma has also been helping with the Peace in Mind campaign and has ensured that the school has been a leading force in promoting both online safety and mindfulness.

“Esther’s a really inspiring person and I think all of the work, whether it’s to do with mindfulness or the phones, it’s Esther that’s inspired us all to want to do those things and to try and make society for children better,” she said.

“Brianna did struggle with her phone, she struggled with her mental health, and being able to help other children who have the same struggles she did as her legacy is really really important, and I think that’s a bond that me and Esther will always have.”