Wellbeing

Children’s Mental Health

Children’s Mental Health Week is an annual week-long campaign run by children’s mental health charity Place2Be. We recommend Pace2Be website for supportive information and activities.

Bereavement and Loss - https://czone.eastsussex.gov.uk/health-safety-wellbeing/mental-health-emotional/practical-resources/bereavement-and-loss/

Child Bereavement UK - https://www.childbereavementuk.org/

WELL BEING AT ST THOMAS'

A whole school approach means that all staff, parents and governors have a responsibility for the wellbeing of everyone in our school community - children and staff. We also provide seminars and support for parents/carers. This is embedded in our ethos and values as a Church of England School. We seek to raise awareness and work in partnership with all parents, carers, volunteers and visitors. Our aims are to:

1. Raise awareness that anyone (loud or quiet, academic or creative/sporting) can have emotional or mental health issues and make sure children and all members of the community know who is there to help them, including specialist staff and other services

2. Create an environment where all health issues - physical, emotional, spiritual and mental - are treated equally

3. Ensure there is time and space to talk about concerns and problems

4. Work using a whole school approach which normalises the idea that we need to take care of mental health and emotional wellbeing throughout the school

5. Engage with parents and carers to extend awareness and promote positive strategies

6. Challenge stigma and negative 'labelling'

7. Include well being in the Personal, Social and Health Education (PSH), Relationship and Sex Education (RSE) curriculum as well as collective worship

8. Provide a safe and comfortable space for conversations and support groups

9. Ensure all staff have professional development for skills to support children

10. Ensure there is a named and trained teacher who pupils can discuss mental health issues with (Mrs Paice ), and ensure all children chose who they speak to when they have concerns

Please contact the school with your suggestions and ideas which we warmly welcome. Please see our annual initiatives in our School Development Plan.

Angela Nicholls

My mental health promise - Sussex CAMHS 2019 campaign.pdf

2016 onwards 100% pupils can name an adult in school that they would speak to

if they were worried or had a concern - recorded annually in PSHE Books

January 2017 - PE Co-ordinators launch the Daily KM initiative in whole school assembly and newsletter

and also daily GoNoodle - physical activities in the classroom launched

Early morning weekly 'Running Club' led by parent volunteers launched

February 2017 - Healthy Eating assembly by Mr Boccoli from Chartwells

Healthy Lunch Box Competition

March - INSET for staff and Governors 'Understanding and Supporting Traumatised Children in Schools'

Resources Purchased with the Health Grant

6 early years bikes £1,200; SRE resources £100; Assorted balls for EY £200; new hockey sticks £150; resources for gardening club £150;

30 pedometers £200

September 2017- Consolidate and review 2017-18 plan and embed actions/initiatives and policy reviews in 2017-18

October - Ezekiel Ewulo athlete visit and inspirational talk to whole school with activities for each class eg whole school