Mental health and wellbeing

Mental Health and Wellbeing Committee

The Stapleford Primary School Mental Health and Wellbeing Committee was created to help pupils, families, staff and governors remain mentally and physically well.

Committee members inlcude:

James Shillito – Headteacher + School Mental Health & Wellbeing Lead

Anna Lambert – Parent representative

Michelle Wilson – SEND HLTA, Staff governor

March 2021 – Pupil wellbeing and support

Pupils may be experiencing a variety of emotions in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, such as anxiety, stress or low mood. This may particularly be the case for vulnerable children, including those with a social worker and young carers. It is important to contextualise these feelings as normal responses to an abnormal situation. Some may need support to re-adjust to school; others may have enjoyed being at home and be reluctant to return; a few may be showing signs of more severe anxiety or depression. Others will not be experiencing any challenges and will be keen and ready to return to school.

Year 6 have been signed up for the “Positive Minds” 10-week programme to support their mental health, well-being and transition to Year 7. These one hour sessions will be being delivered outside of the school day to maximise teaching time for all subjects.

Year groups 1-5 will receive extra Philosophy for Children P4C sessions. They will be delivered virtually, using Google Classroom, to support the children’s mental health and well-being. This will provide an excellent opportunity for the children to talk about anything they are worried about. These sessions will be in addition to the normal timetabled P4C sessions. They are being delivered outside of the school day to maximise teaching time for all subjects.

P4C on line for Class 2 + Year 5 and Class 3 alternate Thursdays after school

P4C within school Class 2 and Class 3 will attend on alternate Thursdays.

P4C within school Class 4 will be on Friday morning

P4C within school Class 1 – will be on Wednesdays

All staff will:

  • support the rebuilding of friendships and social engagement
  • address and equip pupils to respond to issues linked to coronavirus (COVID-19)
  • support pupils with approaches to improving their physical and mental wellbeing

Please make the Class teacher and SENCO aware if your child is struggling so that the school can provide more focused pastoral support.

School nursing services are available to support the health and wellbeing of pupils. They offer a range of support including:

  • support for resilience, mental health and wellbeing including anxiety, bereavement and sleep issues
  • support for pupils with additional and complex health needs
  • supporting vulnerable children and keeping children safe

Physical activity in schools

Our PE Coach has been asked to work extra hours to support the fitness, mental health and wellbeing of our pupils.

He will run a daily mile activity for the children on the days he is on site.

For the remainder of the spring term our coach will provide a “Post Lockdown Fitness Club” for classes 1, 2 and 3. These sessions will be funded by the school and held on the school field after school.

  • 3:00pm-4:00pm Tuesday: Class 3
  • 3:00pm-4:00pm Wednesday: Class 1
  • 3:00pm-4:00pm Friday Class 2

Pupils will be kept in consistent groups and sports equipment thoroughly cleaned between each use by different individual groups.

Contact sports will be avoided and all PE sessions will be outdoors.

If it is raining the hall will not be used for PE.

Useful links

https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/

A public health England and NHS site to help people take simple steps to look after their mental health, improve their mental wellbeing and support others.

https://www.mentallyhealthyschools.org.uk/

Quality-assured information, advice and resources to help primary schools understand and promote children’s mental health and wellbeing.

https://www.annafreud.org/parents-and-carers/

Advice and guidance for parents and carers to help them support a child of young person experiencing poor mental health or wellbeing.

https://www.england.nhs.uk/mental-health/

Advice on mental health from the NHS.