A THREE-year project in two York schools, to help children with emotional health and well-being, is set to be expanded to all schools in the city.

The project at Canon Lee School and Clifton Green Primary School came to an end this year, but now lessons learned from it will be extended to other schools in the city.

The multi-agency project was set up in response to growing concerns about children and young people's emotional health and well-being.

It was funded by the Department of Health, with City of York Council and the local primary care trust.

Project co-ordinator Barbara Edwards said: "Pupils can find it difficult to settle successfully in lessons if they are feeling really upset, anxious or angry. When a school recognises this and offers appropriate support the children feel happy and sociable in the school environment and this has an impact on their learning."

The project in the two schools involves individual pupils and their families being offered support through home visits and one-to-one work. Some of the schemes have included a Relateen counsellor helping youngsters cope with the family break-ups, and youth workers talking through various problems with students.

At Clifton Green Primary School, after-school clubs have helped children develop communication skills and raise their self- esteem. Lunch time playground games organised by older children have helped to reduce bullying incidents.

Children have also been helped with the transition to secondary schools, Barbara said. "Children particularly anxious about the move have attended a group which has helped them express their feelings and reduced their fears, encouraging them to think about different ways they can cope with new and different experiences."

At Canon Lee School, pupils from Year 9 to 11 have volunteered to become peer supporters, who help Year 7 children settle into the school.

They attend registration periods to help with practical problems and run a club where youngsters can talk to older pupils about worries or problems they have.

Barbara recently organised a conference attended by almost 200 delegates, including school staff, nurses, social workers and counsellors. The aim of the conference was to share with others the work which had been carried out.

The transition groups and peer support programmes are now set to be put in all schools in the city, with money from the York Children's Fund.

Barbara said: "We know that children helped in this way settle quickly and happily and can benefit from all the new opportunities at secondary school."

Updated: 09:57 Wednesday, December 11, 2002