Mental Health and Wellbeing
At our school, we believe that mental health is as important to a child's safety and wellbeing as their physical health. It affects every aspect of life – from educational achievement and relationships to physical health and future opportunities.
Just like physical health, mental health changes over time and can be influenced by life events, relationships, and the environment. Every person has mental health, and when we talk about it, we mean our emotions, thoughts, and feelings, our ability to solve problems, our social connections, and our understanding of the world.
A key foundation of good mental health for children is knowing they are loved, valued, and accepted for who they are. That’s why we focus on helping children understand their feelings and giving them the emotional vocabulary to express themselves and understand others.
Our Whole-School Approach
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Senior Mental Health Lead – Our headteacher has trained as the Senior Mental Health Lead through Department for Education funding. They lead our whole-school approach, ensuring that staff, children, and parents can openly discuss mental health and wellbeing.
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Future in Mind Project – As part of this initiative, our Mental Health “Champion” attends regular training, ensuring our school community benefits from up-to-date knowledge and best practice.
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Skilled and Caring Staff – Our staff team is trained to support children’s emotional wellbeing every day through both structured activities and informal interactions.
How We Support Children’s Wellbeing in School
We use a variety of practical strategies to nurture mental and emotional health:
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Time outdoors to connect with nature
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Opportunities to explore with all the senses
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Quiet moments for rest and mindfulness, including yoga sessions
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Creative play and arts activities for self-expression
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Shared exploration and learning alongside adults who show genuine interest in children’s ideas
Our Personal, Social, Health Education (PSHE) Programme
We deliver a bespoke PSHE programme called ‘Keeping Ourselves Happy, Healthy and Safe’, which covers:
| Topic | Focus |
|---|---|
| Being Me in My World | Belonging to class, school, and the wider community; developing learning skills |
| Celebrating Difference | Recognising uniqueness, understanding different families, anti-bullying (including cyber and homophobic), and embracing diversity |
| Dreams and Goals | Setting personal goals, teamwork, fundraising, and exploring future careers |
| Healthy Me | Staying safe, drug and alcohol awareness, and “Stranger Danger” |
| Relationships | Friendship, family, communication skills, and conflict resolution |
| Changing Me | Understanding growth, transition to new schools, and RSE in the context of change |
Extra Wellbeing Initiatives
Yoga
We use Mini Me Yoga activities – gentle, nurturing exercises that strengthen the body, promote positive mental attitudes, and boost readiness to learn.
More about Mini Me Yoga
Healthy Eating
Children learn about balanced diets through the Eatwell Project, have daily access to fresh fruit, milk twice weekly, and enjoy free healthy school meals in early years. Good nutrition supports energy, mood, and focus.
Physical Activity
Through Healthy Movers, children take home fun activity packs to improve physical literacy. Physical activity boosts concentration, behaviour, and academic achievement.
Hygiene
We teach daily hygiene habits, helping children feel confident and develop lifelong routines.
Dental Care
We promote regular teeth cleaning and dental check-ups, with visits from health professionals to discuss oral care.
Dental Advice Line: 01743 237916
Sleep
Our school SENDCo is trained as a Sleep Champion, offering guidance for families. Sleep supports both physical health and emotional resilience.
School Nurse and Health Visitors
Our School Nursing and Health Visitor teams work with children, young people, and families to assess health needs and provide tailored support. Where additional needs are identified, they ensure early intervention through referrals to specialist services and signposting to other agencies.
For more information:
Family Connect
Family Connect offers impartial advice, information, and guidance on a wide range of children’s services across the borough.
Other Useful Websites
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Mental Health Foundation – Everyone deserves good mental health
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No Panic – Advice and support for anxiety disorders
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YoungMinds – Mental Health Charity for Children and Young People