Downe House students enjoy downtime with pups to tackle exam stress

West Berkshire students have enjoyed much-needed downtime with some excitable puppies after a stressful exam season.

Year 11 and Sixth Form students at Downe House School, in Cold Ash, have been taking in part in various therapeutic activities including calming breathing, yoga and spending time with puppies to manage their emotions during the exam period.

Director of pupil wellbeing Ellen Llewellyn said: “It is normal for students to feel some stress in the lead up to and during the exam period, but we know that some of that stress can be alleviated by having opportunities to engage in activities where the focus is on the mind and body.”

The school is also encouraging students to manage their own wellbeing journey by creating personal strategies and activities they can call upon on a daily basis to help them regulate their emotions and alleviate stress.

Mrs Llewellyn added: “The benefit of the boarding environment is that everyone is going through the same thing at the same time, especially in the evenings and at weekend.

“Spending time with friends is often one of the most popular coping strategies young people use to help regulate their wellbeing.”