Vision Statement

 

The happiness of the children in our community is central to our school vision of ‘Soaring to Success’.  We will continue to positively promote the understanding of emotional wellbeing and mental health across our whole school community, thus ensuring wellbeing sits at the heart of our school life and ethos.  We aim for children to be happy, confident, resilient learners, who are making good progress across the curriculum.  They will feel empowered and able to talk openly with staff, who are there to support and guide them on their journey through our school.  The voice of our school community will continually inform and change our school’s approach to emotional wellbeing and mental health to ensure it meets the needs of all children in our care.

 

Our vision is that mental health and well-being is the responsibility of all across the whole school community.

 

Eynsham Community Primary School

The Wellbeing Award for Schools

Statement of Commitment

 

After discussion with the representatives of those responsible for governance within Eynsham Community Primary School and the senior leadership team, we are committed to working towards the Wellbeing Award for Schools.

 

This is an award to promote emotional wellbeing and mental health across our whole school community, thus ensuring that wellbeing sits at the heart of our school life and ethos. The mental health and wellbeing of all members of Eynsham Community Primary School, including pupils, staff and parents, is paramount in our school vision of ‘Soaring to Success’.  

 

Aims:

• To create a clear strategy that promotes and protects wellbeing and mental health for the whole school community.

• To develop a greater awareness and understanding of mental health and wellbeing amongst staff, pupils, parents/carers.

• To prioritise staff mental health and promote a positive, supportive working environment.

• Encourage collaboration with the whole school community, championing wellbeing and mental health as the responsibility of all.

• To create an environment that values diversity, respects everyone, and reduces the stigma of mental health.

• To embed emotional resilience and social-emotional learning into the curriculum, thus building children’s capacity to learn.  

• To train and equip staff so they can support pupil wellbeing and mental health confidently and effectively.

 

How will we promote positive mental health and wellbeing:

The culture at Eynsham Community Primary School promotes pupils’ positive mental health and wellbeing and avoids stigma by:

• A whole-school approach to positive mental health and wellbeing.

• Discussing and explicitly learning about mental health and wellbeing in lessons, assemblies, School Council meetings and through the leadership of ‘Wellbeing Champions’.

• Tailored professional development for staff so they can recognise the early warning signs of mental health concerns and identify the appropriate support and strategies needed.

• Dedicated time for mental health and wellbeing within the school curriculum, including the use of carefully planned PSHE lessons (Jigsaw and ‘No Outsiders’).

• Dedicated time and opportunities to improve staff wellbeing.

• Wellbeing sessions/workshops for parents so they understand the school’s journey, progress and next steps.

• Working closely and acting upon data and feedback from parents, pupils, and staff to inform strategies and next steps.

 

Supporting Pupils

As part of mental health and wellbeing, it is important for children to continue with their everyday routines where they attend school and work towards managing their mental health.  Through a whole school approach to promoting positive mental health and wellbeing, children will be encouraged to:

• Use ‘Zones of Regulation’ to identify and understand their own emotions and behaviours.

• Talk about and express their feelings with confidence and openness.

• Understand and apply strategies that can be used to support mental health.

• Develop and build emotional resilience and their capacity to learn and attempt challenges through the concept of ‘Growth Mindset’.  

• Understand mental health further through the ‘Jigsaw PSHE Curriculum.

• Access outside specialist agencies i.e. CAMHS to provide further support, strategies and interventions.

• Speak to class teachers and teaching assistants who are experienced and can spot changes in behaviour that might indicate a problem and offer support.

 

Supporting staff: 

Staff wellbeing is a school priority and this is demonstrated by the following provision:  

• Access to the ‘Your Assistance Programme’ through Health Assured. 

• Support from the Wellbeing Champions, Senior Leadership Team and staff members.

• Regular Phase meetings to discuss difficulties and concerns as well as positive progress.

• Additional release time for subject leaders.

• Wellbeing staff events.   

• Carefully considered CPD which focusses on identified needs within the school.

 

Louise Paterson, a KS2 teacher and RE Lead, is the 'Wellbeing Award for Schools Coordinator' and ‘Wellbeing Lead’ in school, and she will work collaboratively with an identified Change Team within the school. It is recognised that the co-ordinator and members of the change team will need to be supported to fulfil this important work, including ensuring they have sufficient capacity and resources to do so.

Change Team

Louise Paterson - (Wellbeing Award for School Coordinator) Year 4 Class Teacher, RE Lead

Nicola Edwards – Head of School

Natasha Howell – KS2 Teacher, PSHE Lead

Annie Billington - HLTA, Attendance Lead

Olivia Scott – Mental Health Support Team (outside agency)

Joanna Gill - Parent Governor

Wellbeing Champions – children from across our school community.