The m-LAH (Motivation for Learning and Health) launches scheme to help students in lockdown

Children might think they can pull the wool over the eyes of their parents when it comes to doing their homework, but have found they can’t do that with their peers.

An innovative new scheme, launched at the beginning of lockdown to help manage children’s screen time, sleep and their health during the pandemic, is showing signs of success.

Directed at secondary school children aged 13 to 18, the initiative is student led.

The m-LAH (Motivation for Learning and Health) scheme has been launched at Sacred Heart School in Camberwell, one of three South London schools delivering the scheme, to help students with their mental health while learning at home.

At Sacred Heart six students have taken on the role of facilitators, and each take groups of five to eight children at a time.

Their sessions take place over video calls, and the children have the opportunity to raise their concerns and chat amongst themselves about their goals and how best to achieve them.

Chidera Okoli, a student at Sacred Heart School, said: “One of my students needed help with her sleep. She said she only got three hours of sleep a night.

“She didn’t know why. I told her she shouldn’t be eating late, so I think it was a mixture of her not sleeping or eating at regular times.

“I told her to be aware of the time and try and walk during the day. I was very, very proud of her when I asked her the next week whether she had improved her sleep schedules, and she said she had managed to sleep six hours.

“The fact she managed to double her time of sleep was amazing and she felt better. “Another of my students said she wanted to improve her relationship with her mother.

As the goals and activities have to be measurable, I asked her what was she going to do. “She said that at least twice a week she would help her mother to cook and talk to her mother while she was doing that.

“She said she got to know her mother as a person by doing that, rather than just as her mum.”

Emelia Bature, Deputy Head Girl at Sacred Heart School in Camberwell, said: “What I have observed is there is a lot of pressure in terms of education.

“Particularly with online school as there is a lot of workload generated through online school, and students need help with time management and self[1]organisation.

“I think the need for m-LAH is always there and will always be there and has been emphasised by the fact we are in lockdown, but also the pandemic has illustrated the importance of mental well-being, and m-LAH provides a safe place.”

Serge Cefai, head teacher at Sacred Heart and executive head teacher at St Thomas the Apostle, said: “It just goes to show how responsible and caring our youth can be when given the chance.”