Carlton Junior And Infant School

Mental Health and Well Being

The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines mental health as 'a state of wellbeing in which the individual realises his or her abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community'.

Our mental health lead is Mrs Williams. She is well trained and is a mental health first aider to both children and adults, as such we are well informed on how to support the whole school community fully. We are holders of the Wakefield Well Being Charter Mark as well as having a gold award for raising attainment through wellbeing and a bronze award from the Carnegie centre of excellence and wellbeing.

At our school, we aim to promote positive mental health for every member of our school community as well as respond to mental health. We will ensure emotional support is provided especially during stressful times.

We understand that taking a listening approach is important when talking to students about their mental health issues. If there are any safeguarding concerns discussion with the DSL will take place.

We ensure the mental wellbeing of our staff and pupils through an open, accepting ethos. Mrs McDermott and Mrs Clamp are key in supporting children who require extra support with their mental wellbeing and health. Further advice and support is given from the Futures in Mind Team.

Mental health of staff is further supported through the SAS package which offers many benefits including health screening days, stress awareness sessions, counselling and physiotherapy. Our aim is to ensure staff have a positive work life balance which will support their good mental health.

Our curriculum is underpinned by personal, social and health development whereby children continually develop their understanding of how to live a healthy lifestyle - including emotional, social and physical health principles. Our school also offers experiences to promote positive mental health including: family after school clubs, i.e., running and cooking, there are also a large range of other active clubs for the children such as; dance, gardening, apparatus and football.

We are proud to be a CAS (Creating Active Schools) School and OPAL Play school to further support our children’s mental health and wellbeing.

We use Wakefield Resilience framework to build resilience in our pupils:

https://www.riskandresilience.org.uk/

As well as embedding the following into our curriculum:

https://www.pshe-association.org.uk/curriculum-and-resources/resources

Other sources of support for children and their families include:

Improving children’s mental health in schools – Place2Be

Young Minds Professionals https://youngminds.org.uk/youngminds-professionals/

Dedicated to self-harm recovery, insight and support https://www.selfharm.co.uk/

Beat Eating Disorders https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/types/do-i-have-an-eating-disorder

Mental health and behaviour in schools https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/mental-health-and-behaviour-in-schools--2

Anxiety UK www.anxietyuk.org.uk OCD UK www.ocduk.org