We all have mental health – some people call this emotional health or wellbeing.

Things that can help keep children and young people mentally well include:

• being in good physical health, eating a balanced diet and getting regular exercise
• having time and the freedom to play, indoors and outdoors
• being part of a family that gets along well most of the time
• going to a school that looks after the wellbeing of all its pupils
• taking part in local activities for young people.

 Other factors are also important, including:

• feeling loved, trusted, understood, valued and safe
• being interested in life and having opportunities to enjoy themselves
• being hopeful and optimistic
• being able to learn and having opportunities to succeed
• accepting who they are and recognising what they are good at
• having a sense of belonging in their family, school and community
• feeling they have some control over their own life
• having the strength to cope when something is wrong (resilience) and the ability to solve problems.

Mental health doesn’t mean being happy all the time and neither does it mean avoiding stresses altogether. One of the most important ways to help your child is to listen to them and take their feelings seriously.  In many instances, children and young people’s negative feelings and worries usually pass with the support of their parents and families. It is helpful for the school to know what they are going through at these times, so that staff can be aware of the need and support this.

Coping and adjusting to setbacks are critical life skills for children, just as they are for adults, but it is important that they develop positive, rather than negative, coping skills.  If you are ever worried about your child’s mental health and wellbeing then, just as you would about any concerns that you have about their learning, you can talk to their teacher or another adult at school. Sometimes children will need additional support for a short period – this may be in the form of a daily check-in with a trusted adult,  time to talk through what they are feeling and support in developing ways of moving forwards with this.

If your child is distressed for a long time, if their negative feelings are stopping them from getting on with their lives, if their distress is disrupting family life or if they are repeatedly behaving in ways you would not expect at their age, then please speak to your child's teacher.

Supporting children's well-being continues to be a key priority as part of our school's plan to help all pupils thrive. We maintain a whole-school approach to ensure our children feel happy, confident, and resilient throughout their school journey, enabling them to develop 'Learning for Life.'

All staff members across the school take time to speak to children to support their emotional and mental health. We ensure children know the importance of asking any adult for support if they should need it, as well as developing crucial self-care and resilience skills while at school. Every adult is committed to supporting children's emotional, mental health, and well-being.