Supporting Mental Health

At Pollington-Balne CE 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. 

We believe it is important to ensure that children are able to manage times of change and anxiety and that they feel supported to access help when they need it. We also have a role to ensure that children learn about how they can maintain positive mental health, what affects their physical health, mental health and where they can go to access help and support when they need it.

In order to achieve this, we have a whole school approach to promoting positive mental health and well-being.  We do this by:

• Following the requirements of the RSE guidance.
• Creating an ethos, policies and behaviours that supports mental health and resilience.
• Helping children to develop social relationships and to support each other.
• Helping children to be resilient learners.
• Teaching children social and emotional skills, alongside an awareness of mental health.
• Developing a curriculum that focusses on the whole child and not just academia.
• Early intervention and support including working with outside agencies when appropriate.
• Effectively working with parents and carers.
• Supporting and training staff to develop their own skills and resilience.  
• Staff trained in youth mental health first aid. (Mrs Rawes)
• 1 Senior leader trained in mental health, as advised in DfE guidance.  Mrs Rawes has undertaken training with the Brightcore on a community and whole school approach to mental health.  
• Mrs Carpenter is trained in Thrive
• Teaching staff have received Boxall training disseminated by our SENCO through Nurture UK
• Mrs Poskitt is our ELSA is also trained in Lego Therapy and speech and language.
• Developing an open culture that encourages discussion and understanding mental health awareness.
• Regular mental well-being days to promote the importance of positive well-being and strategies to help children cope.
• Whole school tier system of support for each child.
• Whole school promotion of kindness and building resilience in all areas of the curriculum.