Mental Health and Wellbeing
At Hedon Primary School, we are committed to supporting the emotional health and wellbeing 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.
At our school we:
- 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
Two key elements to support good mental health are:
- Feeling Good – experiencing positive emotions like happiness, contentment and enjoyment. Including feelings like curiosity, engagement and safety.
- Functioning Well – how a person is able to function in the world, this includes positive relationships and social connections, as well as feeling in control of your life and having a sense of purpose.
Our role in school is to ensure that children are able to manage times of change and stress, and that they are supported to reach their potential or access help when they need it. Children are taught when to seek help, what help is available, and the likely outcome of seeking support so that they have the confidence and knowledge for themselves or others. We also have a role to ensure that children learn about what they can do to maintain positive mental health, what affects their mental health and how they can help reduce the stigma surrounding mental health issues. As part of our targeted provision, we have and continue to access, outside help and support for pupils when required.
At Hedon Primary School, we believe that teaching about mental health and emotional wellbeing as part of a comprehensive PSHE curriculum is vital. PSHE is central to the curriculum across the whole school and assists pupils to cope with the changes at puberty, introduces them to a wider world, manage transitions and enables them to make an active contribution to their communities. The concepts covered in PSHE include keeping safe and managing risk, identity, equality, managing feelings and emotions, relationships, change, resilience and being healthy, which includes physical, mental, emotional and social well-being. We aim to promote pupils’ wellbeing through an understanding of their own and others’ emotions and the development of healthy coping strategies.
Good mental health and wellbeing is just as important as good physical health. Like physical health, mental health can range across a spectrum from healthy to unwell; it can fluctuate on a daily basis and change over time. Children at Hedon Primary School have two lessons of PE each week. A wide range of sport-related after school clubs are run by teachers and external coaches, whilst many of our pupils take part in inter-school sporting competitions which include an extensive range of sports and activities. Our proficient young leaders are excellent at organising activities and games during play times to encourage higher levels of physical activity and promote inclusion.
We include World Mental Health Day and Mental Health Awareness Week in the school calendar and plan activities for the whole school.
We offer different levels of support:
Universal Support– To meet the needs of all our pupils through our overall ethos and our wider curriculum. For instance developing resilience for all.
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 such as wellbeing groups or personal mentors.
Lead staff members:
Mrs Barnett is our accredited Mental Health First Aider and Lead.
Mrs Laughton and Mrs Henery are our accredited Emotional Literacy Support Assistants.
Please click on the link to find out more about ELSA support in school from, Hollie, one of our pupils.
Useful links
“Pupils are motivated and enjoy learning.”
“I value the caring, nurturing nature of the staff.”
“This is a school where pupils can learn without being disrupted by the behaviour of others.”
“You have given my daughter courage and her joy back. She is smiling at the start and end of every school day.”
“My child feels happy going to school everyday.”
“This is a happy, welcoming and inclusive school.”
“I like the community environment; it feels very inclusive and all the teachers and staff are friendly and approachable.”
“Keep up the outstanding work you are doing.”
“Pupils are polite and chatty. They listen carefully and show respect to adults and each other.”
“Staff have been fantastic. Especially in times of isolation and the understanding of situations and help and support they have offered.”
“The school is aware of diversity and additional needs.”
“You make learning fun so the children are interested.”
“Thank you so much for everything you have done, from teaching our children, to keeping them safe but also all the fun and laughter you have given them; every one of you is amazing!”
“The school is a safe and friendly environment.”
“Thanks to all for keeping my son focused and happy at school.”
“Pupils appreciate the many sporting activities, competitions and clubs on offer.”
“Children in the Reception class get off to a flying start. Children are learning and thriving.”
“Those with particular talents, and pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND), are nurtured to achieve their very best.”
“They get on well with each other and with the adults in school.”
“Pupils feel safe and well cared for.”
“Many pupils do special jobs, such as eco-warriors and reading ambassadors.”