At Northgate Primary School, we are committed to promoting the positive mental health and wellbeing of the whole school community. We recognise that children's mental health plays a crucial role in their overall wellbeing and directly impacts their learning and achievement, both academically and socially. Our approach to mental health and wellbeing ensures that every child has the support and resources they need to thrive in a healthy, nurturing environment.
Our PSHE curriculum follows the PSHE Association Guidance for teaching mental health and emotional wellbeing. Pupils are taught to:
- Understand their own emotional state
- Challenge misconceptions around mental health
- Develop a range of strategies for maintaining a healthy mind
- Know where to go for help
- Keep themselves and others safe
As part of our school’s commitment to promoting positive mental health and wellbeing for all pupils, our school offers support to all pupils by:
- Raising awareness of mental health during assemblies and mental health awareness week
- Signposting families to sources of online support on our school website
- Providing pupils with avenues to feedback on any elements of school life that are negatively impacting their mental health (School Council)
- Monitoring all pupils’ mental health
- Offering pastoral support
- Making classrooms a safe space to discuss mental health and wellbeing
- Training staff on best practise to identify and support mental health needs
- Having a school-wide nurturing ethos
- Use of appropriate praise and rewards
- Positive role modelling and teamwork in all classes
- Following our rigorous behaviour policy
If a pupil is identified as having a mental health need, we will take a graduated and case-by-case
approach to assessing the support our school can. The tailored support could include:
- KS1 Nurture group
- Time with pastoral team
- Regular check-ins with pastoral staff
- Reduced timetable
Where appropriate, and in consultation with parents, we can make referrals to the external agencies; we work closely with the Mental Health Support Team.
All staff are responsible for promoting positive mental health and wellbeing across our school and for understanding risk factors. Mrs Kettle-Maile is our Senior Mental Health Lead.
Useful links
https://www.justonenorfolk.nhs.uk/emotional-health/norfolk-waveney-mental-health-advice-support-for-0-25-s/
https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/