As a school we take mental health and well being very seriously and we are leading the way in highlighting this area. We have achieved the Wellbeing Award, as we demonstrate how well being and mental health in our pupils, staff and parents are at the forefront of our school's vision of leading a mentally healthy school.

We are committed to supporting the emotional health and well being of our pupils and staff. We know that everyone experiences life challenges that can make us vulnerable and at times, anyone may need additional emotional support. We take the view that positive mental health is everybody's business and that we all have a role to play.

As a school we aim:

• help children to understand their emotions and feelings better
• help children feel comfortable sharing any concerns or worries
• help children socially to form and maintain relationships
• promote self-esteem and ensure children know that they count
• encourage children to be confident and 'dare to be different'
• help children to develop emotional resilience and to manage setbacks

We offer different levels of support:

Universal Support - to meet the needs of all our pupils through our overall ethos and our wider curriculum. 

Additional Support - for those who may have short term needs and those who may have been made vulnerable by life experiences such as bereavement.

Targeted Support - for pupils who need more differentiated support and resources or specific targeted interventions.

We all have times when we have low Mental Wellbeing, where feel stressed, upset or find it difficult to cope.

There are some common life events that may affect you or your child's mental well being:

• loss or bereavement
• loneliness
• relationship problems
• issues at school
• worries about money

Everyone deserves to feel good and there are steps you or child can take to maintain and improve your Mental Wellbeing:

• build positive relationships
• take time for yourself
• look after your mental health
• look after your physical health.

What can your child can do in school to gain mental wellbeing:

• be open and talk about your feelings with your friends
• associate yourself with positive people
• join an afterschool club
• speak to a member of staff
• tell the safeguarding and pastoral team
• get physically active

Useful Links

• NHS Every Mind MattersA public health England and NHS site to help people take simple steps to look after their mental health, improve their mental wellbeing and support others.

• Mentally Healthy SchoolsQuality-assured information, advice and resources to help primary schools understand and promote children’s mental health and wellbeing.

5 Ways to Well-Being

Here are 5 ways to well-being outlined by the NHS. The aim is that you would complete something for each of the 5 categories each day.

These are outlined below with suggested activities.                                                                     

Connect with people around you. With family, friends, colleagues and neighbours. At home, work, school or in your local community. Think of these as the cornerstones of your life and invest time in developing them. Building these connections will support and enrich you every day.

Swap your interactive pursuits with active ones. Go for a walk. Step outside. Cycle. Play a game. Garden. Dance. Walk or cycle when making short journeys. Being active makes you feel good. Most importantly, discover a physical activity you enjoy and that suits your level of mobility and fitness.

Why not have a go at some of the activities below? 

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/nhs-fitness-studio/bedtime-meditation/

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/nhs-fitness-studio/pilates-for-beginners/

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/nhs-fitness-studio/dance-la-bomba/

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/nhs-fitness-studio/wake-up-workout/

Be curious. Catch sight of the beautiful. Remark on the unusual. Notice the changing seasons. Savour the moment, whether you are walking to work, eating lunch or talking to friends. Be aware of the world around you and what you are feeling. Reflecting on your experiences will help you to appreciate what matters to you.

Try something new. Rediscover an old interest. Sign up for that course. Take on different responsibility at work. Fix a bike. Learn to play an instrument or how to cook your favourite food. Set a challenge you will enjoy achieving. Learning new things will make you more confident as well as being fun.

Do something nice for a friend, or a stranger. Thank someone. Smile. Volunteer your time. Join a community group. Look out, as well as in. Seeing yourself, and your happiness, linked to the wider community can be incredibly rewarding and creates connections with the people around you.