Well being
What is wellbeing and why is it so important?
The Department for Education (DfE) recognises that “in order to help their pupils succeed, schools have a role to play in supporting them to be resilient and mentally healthy”. Here at Southmead Primary School we embrace a whole school approach where all staff value and recognise the need to promote positive mental health and wellbeing in every child and adult.
We place great importance on developing the whole child academically, socially and emotionally. The skills needed throughout life can be taught and learnt at any age; all aspects of a child and young person’s experience in and out of school, contribute to their personal and social development and, as a school, we feel that it is essential that we share this role with parents, carers and families.
We are also extremely mindful of the wellbeing of all our staff who work at Southmead. We understand that stressed and anxious staff do not get the best out of their pupils and with this in mind we offer a variety of strategies to help our staff be healthy, in mind, body and spirit.
For more information about any support offered in school, please contact the school office.
Staff with key responsibilities for wellbeing
Mrs Stagg (Headteacher) – Deputy DSL Mental Health First Aider
Miss Collier (DSL and Attendance Officer)
Mrs Furnell (Deputy Headteacher) – Mental Health First Aider
Miss Macarty – ELSA (Learning Mentor)
Miss Jacob – PSHE Lead
Mrs Joseph – PE Lead and Healthy Schools
Southmead Primary School has a multifaceted, proactive approach to supporting our children and their families, including:
- A team of trained Safeguarding Leads and two Safeguarding Governors;
- A specialist, well-being room with a large library of resources (ELSA room);
- One-to-one teaching assistants who support specific, emotionally vulnerable children;
- PSHCE Scheme that promotes a thoughtful and ‘can do’ approach to wellbeing and the curriculum;
- Whole school assembly themes to promote and support SEMH (Social Emotional Mental Health);
- Personal and social education lessons and circle time sessions in all year groups;
- Annual workshops, events and assemblies run by NSPCC and other outside agencies;
- An invitation-only Lunchtime Nurture Club run by the ELSA;
- Drop in lunchtime groups run by the Headteacher and Safeguarding Lead
- A comprehensive range of health and sporting activities across the curriculum and in after-school clubs.
All of the staff at Southmead Primary School play a fundamental role in the wellbeing of our pupils and their families.
How do we provide wellbeing support?
- The Wellbeing Team help to co-ordinate wellbeing activities and resources accessible for both pupils and staff.
- Family support is offered in school to parents/carers through one-to-one meetings/referrals/access to appropriate courses and external support. We have a highly skilled fulltime Safeguarding Officer as well as a fulltime ELSA.
- Our aim is to help signposting pupils and families to appropriate support, agencies and professionals outside of school if needed and where appropriate.
- Wellbeing information is shared, where appropriate, to relevant members of staff weekly.
- Individual work and group interventions for pupils around issues such as:
Behaviour
Self-esteem
Anger management
Bereavement
Family breakdowns
Anxiety
Social communication
- Designated spaces that act as a sanctuary for pupils that offer them a safe environment where they can talk about their worries or concerns.
- All staff are kept up to date with training such as mental health, safeguarding and protecting vulnerable children.
Role of the ELSA
There will always be children and young people in schools facing life challenges that detract from their ability to engage with learning. Some will require greater support to increase their emotional literacy than others. ELSA is an initiative developed and supported by educational psychologists. It recognises that children learn better and are happier in school if their emotional needs are also addressed.
We are lucky enough to have a an Emotional Literacy Support Assistant at Southmead Primary. Mis Macarty has been trained by Educational Psychologists to plan and deliver programmes of support to pupils who are experiencing temporary or longer term additional emotional needs. The majority of ELSA work is delivered on an individual basis, but sometimes small group work is more appropriate, especially in the areas of social and friendship skills. Sessions are fun, we use a range of activities such as: games, role-play with puppets or arts and craft. ELSA sessions take place in our very own ‘Fir Room’ which provides a calm, safe space for the child to feel supported and nurtured.
- In ELSA we aim to provide support for a wide range of emotional needs:
Recognising emotions
Self-esteem
Social skills
Friendship skills
Anger management
Loss and bereavement
Supporting – not fixing
Remember, our school ELSA is not there to fix children’s problems. What she can do is provide emotional support.
Our ELSA’s aim is to establish a warm, respectful relationship with a pupil and to provide a reflective space where they
are able to share honestly their thoughts and feelings.
