Why is mental health so important to our children?
Being mentally healthy during childhood helps children reach developmental and emotional milestones, learn healthy social skills and gives them the ability to cope with the inevitable challenges that life often brings. Mentally healthy children have a positive quality of life and can function well at home, in school, and in their communities. At Longleaze, our pupils’ mental health is key to them becoming happy and successful Longleaze Learners.
How Does the School Support Children’s Mental Health?
The PHSE Curriculum
The school’s Personal Social and Health education curriculum (PSHE) teaches all of our children to be healthy, physically and mentally. In particular, the strands of learning: Me and My Relationships, Valuing Differences, Being my Best and Growing and Changes all have a strong focus on feelings.
For more information on how the school’s PSHE curriculum links to Child Mental Health, please take a look at our PSHE scheme of learning.
Emotional Literacy Support
Some of our pupils require more support with their mental health. Our Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA) delivers extra sessions, above and beyond the PSHE curriculum. Example of these sessions might include working on improving self-esteem, dealing with big feelings or building positive relationships. Our ELSA works with pupils within the classroom and delivers bespoke interventions to individuals and groups of pupils outside of the classroom.
Whole School Activities
Sometimes our whole school assemblies might focus on Child Mental Health. These are delivered by our own highly skilled members of staff or by external partners e.g. NSPCC. School assemblies and PSHE lessons have a special focus on mental health during Children’s Mental Health Week.
CAMHS – Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services
When more specialist mental health support is required, the school may consider, in consultation with parents or carers, referring a pupil to an specialist external agency e.g. Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services. More information on Wiltshire CAHMS services can be found on the following website.
Wiltshire CAMHS | Oxford Health CAMHSOxford Health CAMHS
Which member of staff lead on Children’s Mental Health at Longleaze?
Mrs Thompson and Mr Yeo are the Children’s Mental Health leaders at Longleaze school and have both been trained in this field. All staff at Longleaze school are responsible for supporting pupil’s mental health. They receive child mental health training as part of their on-going professional development.
How can parents and carers support their child’s mental health at home?
The school have created a bank of resources that provide advice and ideas to parents and carers to help them support children’s mental health at home. These can be accessed by clicking on the links below.
Tips for Talking About Mental Health for Parents and Carers – a list of simple and effective approaches to support children’s mental health. Parent/Carer leaflet
My Self-Care Plan – A child-friendly booklet containing activities that are designed to help improve your child’s mood. Self Care Plan
Well-Being Mental Health Calendar – A calendar that helps your child plan out simple actions that can make a real difference to their day to day mental health. Well Being Calendar
Selfie-tips – Do you remember the foldable fortune tellers we used to made at school? This is a mental health version of this activity which provides your child with mental tips in a fun and non-threatening way. Selfie Tips
Well-Being Journal – A journal that helps your child focus on positive aspects of their day and things that make them feel happy. Well-Being Journal
Worry-Lorry – a simple template to help children share their worries in writing rather than saying them out loud. Worry Lorry
Parent/Carer Mental Health Session presentation (8th February 2023)
Mood Meter Activity – Year 1 and 2
Mood Meter Activity Year 3 and 4
