At William Barnes, we aim to promote positive emotional health and well-being for our whole school community: pupils, staff, parents and carers, and recognise how important mental health and emotional well-being is to our lives in just the same way as physical health.
We recognise that children’s mental health is a crucial factor in their overall wellbeing and can affect their learning and achievement. Persistent mental health problems may lead to pupils having significantly greater difficulty in learning than the majority of those of the same age.
Our role in school is to ensure children are able to manage times of change and stress, be resilient, are supported to reach their potential and access help when they need it. We also have a role to ensure that pupils learn about what they can do to maintain positive mental health, what affects their mental health, how they can help reduce the stigma surrounding mental health issues and where they can go if they need help and support.
Our aim is to help develop the protective factors which build resilience to mental health problems and be a school where
- all pupils are valued
- pupils have a sense of belonging and feel safe
- pupils feel able to talk openly with trusted adults about their problems without feeling any stigma
- positive mental health is promoted and valued
- bullying is not tolerated
We have 2 experienced ELSAs within school as well as a staff team trained in Therapeutic Thinking who are always on hand to support pupils.
We monitor and assess our children’s and staff’s wellbeing through regular observations and surveys.
“Well-being is the beautiful stage in which children can be when they feel OK. They feel at ease. They radiate. They are open to anything that comes in.”
Ferre Laevers
We put support in place for those members of our school that need it to ensure they are emotionally ready to learn and thrive as members of our community.
Through assemblies and workshops, the children focus on ‘The Five Steps to Wellbeing’ which helps the children look after both their physical and mental health. Evidence suggests there are 5 steps you can take to improve your mental health and wellbeing. Trying these things could help you feel more positive and able to get the most out of life.
For further information about ‘The Five Steps to Wellbeing’, follow the link- https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/self-help/guides-tools-and-activities/five-steps-to-mental-wellbeing/
Mindfulness is being able to observe your own thoughts and feelings as they happen, in the present moment, applying no judgement. We take part in regular ‘Stormbreak’ sessions each week, which teach children to understand their thoughts and feelings through movement activities that focus on Relationships, Resilience, Hope & Optimism, Self-Care and Self-Worth.
Services and websites
Below you will find a variety of services that offer support locally, nationally and online.
The purpose of sharing this information is you are in a better position to understand and be supportive of the child’s needs and possible behaviours. The links below not only support children but also adults in maintaining their wellbeing and mental health.
https://www.comparethemarket.com/broadband/content/screen-usage-guide/ (understanding screen addiction)
https://www.familylives.org.uk/how-we-can-help/confidential-helpline/
https://youngminds.org.uk/resources/school-resources/find-your-feet-transition-tips-for-parents/
https://www.parentsprotect.co.uk/if-a-child-tells-you-about-abuse.htm
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/alcohol-support/
http://www.anorexiabulimiacare.org.uk/family-and-friends/parents
https://www.autismhelp.info/primary-years
https://booksbeyondwords.co.uk/
Please come and see me if you need any additional support or advice to support yourself and/or your child’s wellbeing.
Mrs Lewis