Mental Health and Wellbeing

At Parkside we are committed to supporting the positive mental health and wellbeing of our whole school community. Our whole school approach to promoting positive mental health aims to help all children develop the essential social and emotional skills they need to cope with lifes challenges. We aim to ensure that children are resiliant and able to manage times of change and stress in order to reach their potential and lead happy and fulfilled lives.  

What are we doing as a school to support children with their mental health and emotional wellbeing?

As part of our whole school approach to mental health and wellbeing we aim to:

• Teach children about what affects their mental health
• Teach strategies to promote and maintain good mental health
• Where to go for help and support if needed
• Promote self-esteem to ensure children understand their importance in the World
• Teach children social and emotional skills to promote positive mental health
• Identify emerging mental health needs of pupils by making sure staff can recognise signs and symptoms of mental health needs and know what to do should they have a concern
• Support staff to develop their skills and their own resilience
• Encourage openness in talking about mental health and challenge negative attitudes

Wellbeing Wednesdays

 
Our weekly ‘Wellbeing Wednesday’ allows our pupils to take part in a range of activities aimed at teaching them strategies to manage their feelings and emotions and make them feel good about themselves. These include sensory activities, yoga, sporting activities, arts and crafts or specific child-led interests. Remember to check the class blogs to see what children enjoy doing as part of our wellbeing sessions.

The Wellbeing Award for School (WAS)

As part of our ongoing commitment to promoting positive mental health and wellbeing across the whole school community we are currently working towards gaining the Wellbeing award for schools. This award focuses on changing the long-term culture of the whole school. Completing the award will drive change, help to deliver staff and pupil wellbeing, review staff training, and revise school policies. Overall the award will ensure that mental health and wellbeing sit at the heart of our school life.

You can find out more about the award by clicking on the following link 

https://www.awardplace.co.uk/award/was

Parents and carers

Parents or carers should approach their child’s class teacher if they have any mental health concerns. This will be cascaded to the SENDCO. Alternatively parents can contact the SENDCO directly. In addition to offering universal support within school, we may also discuss with you additional support mechanisms available to you from the following agencies:

• School Nursing Team  
• CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service)
• Play Therapist
• TADs
   

As a parent/carer your mental health and wellbeing is also important.Online resources to support you and your child's Mental Health and Wellbeing can be found on the following websites:
 
https://youngminds.org.uk/
https://www.annafreud.org/
www.place2be.org.uk/
www.nhs.uk/mental/wellbeing/
www.barnados.org.uk/
www.actionforchildren.org.uk/mental-health/children/

School Wellbeing Champions 

Our wellbeing champions are here to help and support you with any worries you may have. They meet regularly to come up with ideas for how we can keep improving what we do in school to ensure we maintain positive mental health and wellbeing.