Wellbeing

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.

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

sponsored athletics event

MSPORTI to launch and co-ordinate cross country club

January 2018 - Launched yoga classes for every year group and staff - yoga sessions begin for years 1 and 2

Launch Play Leader initiative with Year 5 pupils

Each pupil to name a chosen and trusted adult and record in PSHE books

Order teaching and learning resources for emotional and mental well being/PSHE curriculum

4/2/18 Launch of 'Random Acts of Kindness' Week

5/2/18 Triple P Parent Seminar - Raising Resilient Children

6/2/18 Safer Internet Assembly and Curriculum Day

9/2/18 Triple P Parent Seminar - Online Safety

Resources for teaching cookery arrived - cooker, workstations, utensils etc.

KS2 class pages on website updated to encourage pupils to bring in a snack for break-time

June 2018 - De-stessing/relaxation sessions for all pupils sessions for Reception class

2018-19 No Grant - Wellbeing Initiatives, Monitoring and News

September - Classes to use the new cooking work station eg Christmas cakes Year 6

Wellbeing focus in Collective Worship to continue

October Review of 'The Ten Golden Rules for Myself' and an aroma therapy workshop for staff

Lunch time pastoral/friendship group launched

November - School received Braveheart and Trauma Programme Bronze INSET Award

Launch of 'Ollie and His Superpowers' Emotional and Mental Health programme with pupils, staff and parents

December 2018 - St Thomas' Church received a grant for Christian Meditation in Schools

January 2019- Wellbeing Values Art Project for the 'Tree of Life'

Staff guidance on 'The Therapeutic teacher' circulated and discussed

February - Mental Health Day - 'Time to talk' - Balanced Life guidance circulated to staff, governors and parents/carers

Wellbeing Policy reviewed and approved

March - De-Stressing sessions for each class continue

July - Staff Wellbeing Survey

Wells of Wellbeing and Ten Golden Rules for Myslef circulated to school community

2020

Wellbeing in Headteacher Newsletters

All staff meetings have wellbeing on the agenda

March - NSPCC 'Speak Out Stay Safe' Years 5 and 6

Pantasaurus NSPCC to website

July - Promoting resiliance training for staff

September - Pupil nurture groups established

October - Staff wellbeing survey for full return to school

December - Wellbeing on website designated area

2021

Wellbeing in Headteacher Newsletters





PLEASE SEE OUR SCHOOL DEVELOPMENT PLANS FOR ONGOING WELL BEING INITIATIVES.