Mental Health and Wellbeing

In our school, our Christian vision shapes all we do to enable the whole school community to have the opportunity to flourish and live well together. We recognise that Mental Health and emotional wellbeing is just as important as our physical health. We pursue this aim using both universal, whole school approaches and specialised, targeted approaches aimed at vulnerable pupils.

In addition to promoting positive mental health and wellbeing, we aim to recognise and respond to need as it arises. By developing and implementing practical, relevant and effective mental health and wellbeing policies and procedures, we can promote a safe and stable environment for pupils affected both directly, and indirectly by mental health and wellbeing issues.

At Newton on Trent we endeavour to ensure that children are able to manage times of change and stress. We aim to ensure that they are supported to reach their potential or access help when they need it. We also have a role to ensure that children 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.

At Newton on Trent, by giving the children opportunities to openly talk about mental health and have support in place, they will become a valued member of our school and community, allowing them to live well and flourish in their day to day life.

Teaching Mental Health at Newton on Trent

At Newton on Trent we take a whole school approach to positively support and teach the children of all ages the importance of good Mental Health and wellbeing. Our Christian vision is based upon each and every child at Newton becoming resilient, happy and successful in dealing when problem arise. This is achieved by all members of staff implementing regular teaching of promoting good Mental Health to enable the children to live well together, to flourish and feel valued in our school, alongside aiming high and enjoying the journey.

We do this by:

• Creating and applying consistent ethos, policies and behaviours that support mental health and resilience, and which everyone understands. The school follows a restorative approach to behaviour management.
• Helping children to develop social relationships, support each other and seek help when they need it.
• Helping children to be resilient learners and to manage setbacks.
• Teaching children social and emotional skills and an awareness of Mental Health.
• Identifying children who have mental health challenges and planning support to meet their needs, including working with specialist services, parents and carers.
• Supporting and training staff to develop their skills and their own resilience.
• Developing an open culture where it’s normal to talk about mental health.

We support a mentally healthy environment by:

• All classes have a wellbeing area in the classroom that the children can use whenever it is needed. These include a range of resources to support the children's emotional development and regulation of emotions.    
• Each class spends 5 minutes in a morning and before the end of the day on focussed wellbeing time. This can include: breathing techniques or meditation, listening to music, exercise, an emotions themed story, mindfullness colouring, discussing emotions that day, complete some yoga or discuss a Mental Health problem. The children also complete a check in each morning. 
• Once a month, the whole school takes part in ‘Feel good Friday’ and the school takes part in Mental Health week and day each year.

If you have any questions or concerns please contact Mrs Bramman.