Wellbeing
Mental Health and Wellbeing
At Longlands Primary School, we are committed to supporting the emotional health and wellbeing of our pupils. Our vision includes fostering an environment where happiness and wellbeing is at the centre of everything we do and we aim to develop confident, independent, resilient learners who have a growth mind-set and are confident to take risks. With such a huge amount of time spent in the classroom, schools provide an ideal environment for promoting good emotional wellbeing and identifying early behaviour changes and signs of mental distress. We know that everyone experiences life challenges that can make us vulnerable and at times, anyone may need additional emotional support.
At our school, we are committed to promoting positive mental health and emotional wellbeing to all children, their families and members of staff and governors. We pursue this aim using both universal, whole school approaches and specialised, targeted approaches aimed at vulnerable pupils. By developing and implementing practical, relevant and effective mental health policies and procedures, we can promote a safe and stable environment for students affected both directly and indirectly by mental ill health.
We are a Teach Happy School and at Longlands, pupil wellbeing is key to the children's success.
click on link Teach Happy
Happier pupils do better in school, they get on better with their peers and the studies show they tend to be more successful in life. The training that the teachers have undertaken shows teachers how to weave wellbeing into their lessons and throughout the curriculum, with a particular focus on:
- Positive relationships
- Mindfulness
- Physical activity
- The science of kindness
- Growth mindset
- Developing optimism
All our teachers have been trained to teach this 7-lesson positive psychology course for children. All children will gain a certificate on completion of the course. These key elements of happiness and wellbeing are then woven throughout all of the lessons in different subject areas. All classes have a team flag and are encouraged to think about what went well and focus on the positive elements of their lives.
Our Team
Whilst all staff have a responsibility to promote the mental health of students, key members of staff have specific roles in school:
- Miss J Owen- Headteacher/Designated Safeguarding Lead
- Mrs A Branch- Senior Mental Health Lead/ SENCo/ Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
- Mrs T Allen- Deputy Headteacher/ PSHE & RSE Lead/ Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
- Mr P Ward- Learning Mentor
- Mr S Morgan- Chair of Governors/ SEN Governor
Mental Health and Wellbeing Policy
https://www.longlands.bexley.sch.uk/school-policies/
See also: PSHE/RSE policy and School Dog Policy
Useful Links
A public health England and NHS site to help people take simple steps to look after their mental health improve their mental wellbeing and support others.
The Anna Freud National Centre
The Anna Freud Centre shares quality-assured information, advice and resources to help primary schools understand and promote children’s mental health and wellbeing.
Young Minds is the UK’s leading charity committed to improving the emotional wellbeing and mental health of children and young people. Advice on depression, anxiety, ADHD & self-harm
Young Minds Parents Helpline: 0808 802 5544 (9.30 to 4.00pm, Mon- Fri)
We offer free, confidential online and telephone support, including information and advice, to any adult worried about the emotional problems, behaviour or mental health of a child or young person up to the age of 25.
The wonderful organisation who promoted Children’s Mental Health
Telephone: 020 7923 5500
Place2Be is a children’s mental health charity with over 25 years’ experience working with pupils, families and staff in UK schools.
Telephone: 116 123 (24 hours a day, free to call)
Email: jo@samaritans.org
Provides confidential, non-judgemental emotional support for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those that could lead to suicide. You can phone, email, write a letter or in most cases talk to someone face to face.
Rethink Mental Illness Advice Line
Telephone: 0300 5000 927 (9.30am – 4pm Monday to Friday)
Email: info@rethink.org
Provides expert advice and information to people with mental health problems and those who care for them, as well as giving help to health professionals, employers and staff. Rethink also runs Rethink services and groups across England and Northern Ireland.
Telephone: 0800 1111
Email: http://www.childline.org.uk/Talk/Pages/Email.aspx
Childline is a private and confidential service for children and young people up to the age of nineteen. You can contact a Childline counsellor for free about anything – no problem is too big or too small.
MhIST – Mental Health Independent Support Team working with our communities to give the best mental health support we can since 1992.
Children and Young People Apps and websites
BBC own it- https://www.bbc.com/ownit
Headspace- https://www.headspace.com/
Kooth- https://www.kooth.com/
Childline- https://www.childline.org.uk/
NSPCC- https://www.nspcc.org.uk/
The Lily- Jo Project- https://www.thelilyjoproject.com/
Think Ninja- App store
Shout- https://giveusashout.org/