Self-expression celebrated at Clenchwarton Primary

A host of colourful characters met at the school gates when Clenchwarton Primary staff and pupils arrived in style for Express Yourself Day, which was held as part of Children’s Mental Health Week.

Around 200 children, from Reception to Year 6, swapped their usual school uniforms for outfits that better celebrated their individuality, while staff members also adopted unconventional looks.

“The children came to school dressed in a way that expressed themselves,” explained Charlie Howells, Assistant Headteacher at Clenchwarton, which is part of the West Norfolk Academies Trust. 

“This could be from wearing clothes in their favourite colour to being dressed as their favourite animal. They might also choose to be dressed as a future job they want, for example, a policeman, doctor, or dentist.”

Besides dressing differently for the day, the children enjoyed a range of activities linked to raising awareness of children’s mental health, and attended a whole-school assembly on the subject, led by Mrs Howells.

“The day links to children’s mental health by giving them the opportunity to express themselves by celebrating a hobby, an aspiration, or even just their personality,” she continued. “All staff members dressed up as well.”

Children’s Mental Health Week was launched in 2015 by the charity Place2Be, which has been providing mental health services in schools for over 30 years, and supported over 45,000 children and young people in the last academic year.

The theme for 2025 was ‘Know Yourself, Grow Yourself’, with a focus on cultivating self-awareness to enhance resilience and promote growth – which tied in perfectly with Clenchwarton’s Express Yourself Day.

“Events like this are really important to us, as it forms part of our enrichment and raises the awareness to children that being able to express yourself is not about being the best at something or putting on a performance for others,” added Mrs Howells. 

“It is about finding a way to show how you are feeling that can help you feel good about yourself.”