Mental Health & Emotional Wellbeing

Here at Capel St Mary 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.  

If you have concerns about your child's  Emotional Wellbeing, Mental Health or would like to talk to a member of staff please contact our Senior Mental Health Lead - Mrs Pearce. She can be contacted via ClassDojo or via the school email address. Please mark any correspondence as Private and Confidential for the attention of Mrs Pearce and it will be forwarded to her.

Alternatively, please scroll down to the links at the bottom of the page were you can find a number of links to websites and leaflets aimed at supporting both you and your children.

At our school, we promote a mentally healthy environment through:

•  Promoting our schools Christian values and encouraging a sense of belonging
•  Promoting pupil voice and opportunities to participate in decision-making
• Celebrating academic and non-academic achievements in order to promote self-esteem
• Providing opportunities to develop a sense of worth through taking responsibility for themselves and others
• Providing opportunities to reflect
• Access to appropriate support that meets their needs
• Helping children to understand their emotions and feelings better and to feel comfortable sharing any concerns or worries
• Helping children to develop emotional resilience 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. 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.

What do we currently do for mental health and wellbeing for our pupils and staff?

• We have a designated Mental Health and Well Being Lead in school that is responsible for promoting wellbeing for our staff and pupils (Mrs Pearce).
• We have a Learning Support Assistants who run small groups and 1:1  ‘time to talk’ sessions and 1:1 check ins with pupils. This is in liaison with our SENDCO (Special Needs & Disabilities Co-Ordinator) where appropriate.
• In each class we have worry monster for pupils to share their worries with a safe adult.
• We have nominated school council members in each class to represent their peers and gain feedback in class assemblies.
• We have ClassDojo  set up for all classes so parents can contact class teachers directly about  concerns or worries.
• We have home/school communication books for pupil’s who require more regular updates.
• We have move up days, extra transition sessions and meet the teacher sessions for when a pupil is finding a class or school move difficult.
• We have positive behaviour systems in place to promote positive social behaviour.
• We have mental health and wellbeing assemblies to promote resilience and self-management.
• We have a PSHE curriculum that helps pupils to build important life skills, such as learning to learn, habits of mind and the growth mindset.
• Our ethos is to promote supporting the development of skills and character traits such as perseverance, compassion and teamwork.
• We have a Mental Health and Wellbeing Policy for our school which is regularly updated.
• We have a Staff Well-being Charter.
• We include World Mental Health Day and Mental Health Awareness Week in the school calendar and plan activities for the whole school.

Useful links offering advice to parents

https://infolink.suffolk.gov.uk/kb5/suffolk/infolink/health.page?healthchannel=1

https://infolink.suffolk.gov.uk/kb5/suffolk/infolink/advice.page?id=OspoDx5XrBI 

https://www.suffolk.gov.uk/children-families-and-learning/wellbeing-for-education-return/family-wellbeing

https://parentingsmart.place2be.org.uk/?utm_source=Sprint1&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=parenting-smart

www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/support-for-parents/

https://infolink.suffolk.gov.uk/kb5/suffolk/infolink/advice.page?id=Nh2oJw7Qq4I

www.youngminds.org.uk/parent