Mental Health & Wellbeing

Mental Health First Aiders:

Mrs Rachel Wylde

Tel: 01629 534286

E-mail: rywylde2084@lea-pri.derbyshire.sch.uk

Mrs Sarah FIlmer

Tel: 01773 832748

E-mail: sfilmer@wessington.derbyshire.sch.uk

Mental Health Whole School Approach

In our Federation, we aim to promote positive mental 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.

A child who feels safe and happy, who has resilience and enjoys coming to school will learn. If a child doesn't, they wont learn to the best of their ability. If we prioritise mental and physical health, academic learning will fly.

Our School Policy explains why we give it such high importance and the methods we use to help children develop in this area.

We have also created curriculum maps to highlight how this and Safeguarding are constantly taught across the curriculum. In post Covid times, we believe this is even more important than ever.

Every day, children and young people across the UK struggle with their mental health.

We are committed to helping children and young people with their mental health, and the need for our services grows daily. 1 in 6 children in the UK experience mental health difficulties. Half of all mental health problems are established by age 14.

FAMILY SUPPORT

Unfortunately our Cluster Schools Family Support Service has ceased for all the Primary Schools in the Matlock area. This was a very useful service which I know helped many of our families and offered vital support.

We want to continue to support our families to help our children thrive and are committed to providing support however we can.

We know how challenging homelife can be at times and how difficult it can be to overcome barriers. We want to help prevent problems and help find solutions.

We want to try to support our families in need.

We are here to help and signpost you to available services:

Are you or one of your family struggling with mental health?

Are you struggling financially?

Are you struggling balancing work and home?

Are you struggling managing your children’s routines, SEND or behaviours?

Are you a victim of domestic violence?

Are you finding anything else difficult?

Do you just need someone to talk to? Someone to off load to?  

Sarah Filmer, one of our wonderful team of teaching assistants with many years experience, has offered to be a point of contact for our families

Sarah is a great listener and may be able to signpost to help and support

We are planning to hold an open door ‘relax and chat’ session at each of our 3 schools. Come and join Sarah for a coffee and a non-judgmental, confidential chat. Join us at any of our schools. Please ring to find out the dates and times.

Please find attached above information on a positive parenting course, run by Bethany and Amy, our family support team from Highfields. This course is aimed at helping families to secure parent/child relationships, attachment and behaviour, which particularly after COVID, have become more challenging. This is conducted in a completely supportive environment with absolutely no judgements made - only help.

Derbyshire Emotional Health and Well Being Website

Mental Health Awareness Week 13th to 19th May 2024

 13th to 19^th of May is Mental Health Awareness Week (MHAW) 2024.

The theme this year is "Movement: Moving more for our mental health".

At Framework Federation we recognise that mental and physical health is a vitally important part of education and well-being for both children and adults.

Promoting a positive ethos and a sense of belonging for all members of the school community:

• A positive vision is developed across the Federation and both school communities.
• There is a strong care and respect agenda across both schools - everybody belongs.
• We have a strong culture of listening.
• We aim that all children feel safe, wanted and can aspire.
• We have strong partnerships with local clubs and activities out of hours.
• Assemblies focus on Mental Health, Staying Safe, British Values, Keeping Healthy and historic and present day role models.

Have clear and consistent policies which support teaching and learning and behaviour:

• Teaching and Learning Policy
• Maths Policy
• English Policy
• Computing Policy
• Science Policy
• Behaviour Policy
• Forest Schools - which has a proven impact on improving mental and physical health, enjoyment and icnreading resilience.

Actively encourage positive relationships across the school community:

• There is a positive culture of respect across both schools
• Staff work together to support and challenge
• Children are all able to talk to adults within the school
• There is a sense of fun

Focus on staff training and well-being:

• There is an awareness of health, safety and welfare of staff
• There is professional and personal support for staff through our 'open door policy'
• There is a culture of staff supporting each other across both schools
• There is a no-blame culture in which staff can ask for help if needed
• Annual staff questionnaire to focus on health and well-being
• There is training and inductions for new staff

Work in partnership:

• There are strong partnerships between school and parents - we have a strong open door policy
• We have many parent and community volunteers who work within school
• We have strong links with the local communities - church services termly to which the community are invited, Year 6 children help at community events, the local Women's Institute visit Lea Primary School to teach the children to sew and knit
• Parents, staff and children are given an annual questionnaire and viewpoints are always taken into account
• Children are completing outdoor Club and Scout badges during Forest School sessions
• The Headteacher speaks to parents and builds relationships regularly at Open Mornings, Parents Evenings, Performances, events and each day where possible at the school gates
• Communication systems ensure consistency of approaches
• Mental Health 'tip of the week' is given on weekly newsletters
• There are strong partnerships with other schools in the Matlock cluster at all levels and with Holloway Playgroup

Listen to the child's voice:

• We have a very active School Council and Sports Council
• Children are often involved in the decision making process
• Children are encouraged to be independent learners - taking ownership of their own learning, knowing their own targets, what they need to do to improve and reviewing their own progress
• There is a culture that all children have a voice

Arrange teaching in groups to suit the individual needs of children with social, emotional and mental health difficulties and adjust the curriculum to meet individual needs:

• We have an excellent Nurture Group and Nurture Lunch Club that children from both schools access and Lego Therapy
• Vulnerable children are assessed using the 'Boxall Profile'
• Children's individual needs are assessed and provision put in place accordingly, for example 'no cost' breakfast club and Forest Schools curriculum
• Adaptions are made to move with changing and emerging needs.
• A great active curriculum, getting children out and about, a huge emphasis on physical well-being, being active (including 'Mile a Day') and Forest Schools

Use the School Accessibility Plan to meet individual needs:

• There is a current School Accessibility Plan which is used when it is needed for adaptation of provision.