Mental Health and Wellbeing
Our Approach
Here at Holy Family, family is at the heart of everything we do. All staff strive to ensure that all children feel safe, secure and loved. Staff make building strong relationships with our pupils a priority. Children are more likely to enjoy school and do well if they feel a valued member of our school community.
The pupils wellbeing and mental health is of the utmost importance to us. Here at Holy Family we teach all children how to look after their own mental health and develop a greater self awareness. We do this through a carefully planned RSHE Curriculum which is supplemented by MY HAPPY MIND. The MY HAPPY MIND programme is based around helping children to understand how their brain works and how to support themselves in developing positive skills and habits to be their very best selves! Mental Health activity is often focused on supporting individuals when they face challenges. Whilst this is critical, we believe that it is also important to support individuals in building their resilience and self-esteem proactively.
How to get involved at home
We would love for you to carry on the learning at home too. You can download the Parent App to learn all about the Science of Happiness and also
access a range of games, songs, Happy Breathing resources and much more at home. Take a look inside!
For further information on our school’s approach to promoting emotional health and wellbeing, please click on the button to read our school policy.
As adults we know that life is a journey full of good times and sometimes, not so good times. As a school, we recognise that some children me need additional support and time to work through, process and talk about any difficulties they may be facing. For this reason we have established an Emotional Health and Well Being Group. This group works together to ensure that your child recieves the right support at the right time. We offer a variety of support for our pupils, this includes; Forest School, Messy Play, ELSA and Time to Talk.
Forest School
At Forest School the learners are all seen as equal, unique and valuable, which here at Holy Family Primary School is central to our ethos. Forest School promotes child-initiated learning at its best. It creates a world where children are believed to be competent to choose and drive their own learning and development at a pace which is appropriate and meaningful to them.
The adults are there to support the children, guide if asked, look out for dangers and most importantly celebrate the learning taking place. It creates a positive atmosphere of support where the children learn to become independent in their physical skills and mental thought processes. They learn to trust their own ideas, believe in their capabilities and recognise their own needs. They understand that support comes from trusted adults and friends alike as they are nurtured to develop positive relationships with themselves and other people. This helps to build their self esteem and confidence.
Messy Play
Messy Play is run by Mrs Cotton. Messy Play is a small group intervention which aims to build confidence, communication skills and self esteem.
ELSA
ELSA’s are Emotional Literacy Support Assistants. They are specialist trained teaching assistants with a wealth of experience of working with children. Their role is to build a child’s emotional development and help them to find solutions to any problems they may be experienceing.
The ELSA room is a welcoming, calm room in Key Stage 2. Sessions are offered during the school day. These may be individual or groups sessions. A child will normally be offered 6-12 sessions. ELSA’s can offer a range of support including help with emotional regulation, self esteem, social skills, building friedships, worries/anxiety and building resilience.
Time to Talk
This is a 1:1 intervention run by Miss Jones, Mrs Grimshaw and Mrs Tunnicliffe. During Time to Talk the child is given time to talk about anything which may be worrying them. This is often done through art and drawing or sand tray activities using small world. Staff are trained to listen and to support a child, helping them to process their thoughts and feelings. Should staff feel that a child needs more expertise support they will discuss this with the parents and make the necessary referrals to the appropriate agency.
