At All Saints’ School we believe that children’s emotional and mental health is equally as important as their physical health. It is our aim to equip all our children with understanding, knowledge and tools to look after their emotional health. We all nurture this important aspect of our children’s development, from Foundation Stage through to Year 6.
Super Saints ‘ in school
We are lucky to have some fantastic mental health ambassadors at our school who facilitate wonderful activities for our children to support wellbeing and mental health.
Mrs Barker runs Forest school sessions on a Wednesday morning for our KS1 children, where they spend time outside exploring nature, working collaboratively and most importantly looking after their mental wellbeing. The children love these sessions and the benefits it has for the children are extremely apparent. During the summer term, some of our KS2 children have also accessed Mrs Barker’s forest school sessions.
In addition to this, we run two groups for children who may benefit: ‘Understanding our Emotions’ and ‘Anxiety and Worry’. These workshops have been devised carefully and are tailored specifically for children. Each group is full of fun activities to help them learn more about their thoughts, feelings and behaviours whilst equipping and empowering them with tools to manage big emotions. Miss Jeffrey works with our children in KS2 in groups or 1-1 depending on individual needs. Children have opportunities to share their emotions or worries in a safe space and learn new strategies to cope with these feelings.
SCARF PSHE (Personal, social, health and emotional) curriculum
PSHE is taught from Foundation Stage up to Year 6, following a scheme called SCARF. Children are taught about many aspects of their mental health and emotions through six spiral theme
Keeping myself safe
Growing and changing
Valuing differences
Rights and responsibilities
Being my best
These themes are built on each year and children develop life skills to take control of their emotions and wellbeing, as well as developing empathy and care for others. We are also lucky enough to have educators from SCARF to come into school to deliver some sessions during the academic year. The children always enjoy a visit from Harold!
ARTiculate
ARTiculate is a way of supporting children through art. The approach has been designed to support learning and to be a safe, supportive environment for the child where they are listened to and their views, feelings and art expressions are welcomed and respected. The sessions encourage imagination and creativity whilst also potentially helping to lower anxiety, support relationship building, increasing self-esteem and confidence as well as helping children understand and manage their feelings.
If a teacher considers that this approach may help a child, the parent will be consulted and a consent form will be sent home to be signed. The child usually has around 6 sessions either 1-1 or in small groups.
ARTiculate is not Art Therapy but is the therapeutic use of art adapted to support emotional literacy, endorsed by BAAT – The British Association of Art Therapists.
The sessions are led by Miss Gilroy, an experienced Teaching Assistant and artist. She has been on the BAAT ARTiculate training to advanced level and well as completing the ‘Drawing and Talking’ training.
Parents
What should I do if I think my child is struggling emotionally?
Talk to us!
At All Saints’, we have systems in place to identify possible mental health and wellbeing concerns. Our aim is to create a safe and supportive environment for children in which they feel confident to articulate their worries and ultimately prevent any further mental health issues developing.
If you have any queries or concerns about your child’s mental health or the provision in school, please do not hesitate to get in touch by contacting your child’s class teacher, the school office or a member of the Mental Health and Wellbeing Team:
Stuart Gawthorpe (Designated Safeguarding Lead)
Alex Margerrison (Mental Health Lead)
Megan Jeffrey (Mental Health support worker)
Lisa Barker (Mental Health ambassador)
Sarah White (PSHE Lead)
USEFUL WEBSITES
Young Minds
Mental health support for young people and their families.
Parental helpline 0808 802 554
Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families
A world leading mental health charity for children and families. There is lots of information and support for families and schools.
Place2Be website
https://www.place2be.org.uk/our-services/parents-and-carers/supporting-your-child-s-mental-health/
Mental health
https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk
A range of content designed to give you more information about mental health and to help you to look after your mental health.
Qwell adult support group
Online wellbeing and mental health support. Free, anonymous, self-referral for ages 18+.
NSPCC
If you’re worried about a child, even if you’re unsure, contact our professional counsellors for help advice and support.
0808 800 5000
Childline
Offers free, confidential advice and support to children and young people aged 18 years or under.
0800 1111
Boingboing
Well done on picking up ReMiT, a resilience and mental health toolkit for parents and carers, and for having the courage to think about the resilience and mental health of both yourself and your family. Every family is unique and can face different mental health challenges, so we hope that, whatever your situation, you will find this toolkit useful.
Every Mind Matters (NHS)
https://www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/
Information and support on mental health issues.
MindEd
https://www.mindedforfamilies.org.uk/young-people
Are you a parent or carer who is concerned about the mental health of your child or teenager? Do you just want some hints and tips on parenting? MindEd for Families has advice and information from trusted experts and will help you to understand what problems occur, what you can do to best support your family, and how to take care of yourself. MindEd for Families is written by a team of specialists and parents, working together.
A free educational resource for families, carers and professionals.
Winston’s Wish
A bereavement charity supporting children and young people after the death of a parent or sibling.
Kooth – text service for children.
Free, safe and anonymous online support for children and young people aged 11 – 18 years old. Opportunity to have small group chats with member of the Kooth team. Also magazines and 1:1 chats available.