Mental Health and Wellbeing at Kew Woods
At Kew Woods Primary School, we are committed to promoting positive mental health and emotional wellbeing to ensure that our school community is one where everyone is able to thrive. We promote a whole-school approach towards health and wellbeing to encourage our children to reach their full potential and lead fulfilling lives. Our staff work closely with children, parents and carers to help and support mental health and wellbeing to develop happy, inquisitive and resilient leaners who are able to face challenges in a positive and proactive way.
What happens in school?
In Kew Woods Primary School we follow the 5 ways to wellbeing. On our whole school wellbeing day, all classes participated in activities to support them in being active, learning new things, giving to others, connecting with others and taking notice.
In Kew Woods children support other children and we have a range of roles that the children can complete such as wellbeing ambassadors, anti-bullying ambassadors, school council, play leaders and many more. These children are around in school and on the playground if other children need support or a friend.
Our wonderful Y6 wellbeing ambassadors have created a calm kit to have in each class which includes a worry monster, some calming toys and some quick activities to work out how we might be feeling and how best to get us back on track.
Throughout our curriculum the children are taught about mental health and emotional wellbeing. Our PSHE and RSE curriculum teaches children about family and relationships, health and wellbeing, citizenship, economic wellbeing, and safety and the changing body. Alongside this we have a weekly assembly where we read a story which supports our mental health and wellbeing and can be referred upon throughout the week.
Throughout the year there are also plenty of personal development opportunities that support children in their mental health and emotional wellbeing such as, Altru drama performances, internet safety workshops.
We also have a dedicated wellbeing team, made up of a range of staff from across the school. Our wellbeing team meet up every half term to discuss mental health and emotional wellbeing in school and how it can continuously be strengthened.
Our school councillor is in school every Monday and is ready to work with children who need some support in their mental health and emotional wellbeing. Alongside this we also have a morning nurture group in our sensory room for children who struggle with the morning transition.
Mental Health Support Team
We work alongside the Mental Health Support Team in Alder Hey to ensure that children who need support are receiving it from the correct professionals and as promptly as possible. The Mental Health Support Team work with children 1-2-1, in small groups or as a whole class and can offer parental support sessions too.
Wellbeing Award for Schools
In 2018 we were awarded the Wellbeing Award for Schools and we achieved the award again in 2022. This award celebrates the dedication of our staff towards mental health and wellbeing and the impact this dedication has had on the children within out school.
Mental Health First Aiders
Mrs Venables is a trained Mental Health First Aider and is available to support children, staff and families if they are needing support with mental health and wellbeing.
My Happy Mind
We use resources from My Happy Mind for focused intervention groups with children as another option they can access if they are needing some more support.
Useful links
https://www.nspcc.org.uk/keeping-children-safe/childrens-mental-health/
https://www.headstogether.org.uk/
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/topics/zmkqhyc
