Mental Health and Wellbeing
At High Legh Primary School, we take a whole-school approach to mental health and wellbeing, recognising that emotional wellbeing is fundamental to children’s happiness, learning and success.
As part of our close-knit High Legh family, we foster a caring and supportive environment where pupils and staff look out for one another. We place great importance on building strong, positive relationships with our children so that they feel safe, valued and able to talk about their feelings and concerns.
Because we know our pupils well, we are often able to recognise when a child may be finding things difficult or needs additional support. When concerns arise, we work closely with children and families to provide appropriate guidance, support and opportunities for pupils to express their feelings and develop positive strategies to manage challenges.
Our aim is to ensure that every child feels a sense of belonging, is supported to thrive emotionally, and develops the resilience, confidence and wellbeing skills they need both in school and beyond
Wellbeing in School
We are committed to creating a positive culture where mental health and wellbeing are valued, nurtured and supported. We believe that children thrive when they feel happy, safe and understood, and we provide a range of opportunities to promote positive wellbeing across the school.
Some of the ways we support our pupils include:
Lunchtime clubs, offering children an alternative to the playground when they would prefer a quieter environment. Activities include quiet reading, mindful colouring and other calm, engaging opportunities.
Nurture and support groups, led by trusted members of staff, where children can explore feelings such as anxiety, sadness, friendship difficulties or anger in a safe and supportive setting.
ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant) provision, providing targeted support for children who may need additional help understanding and managing their emotions.
Soft Start Club, available each morning for children who may benefit from a calm and positive start to the school day.
Personalised support, tailored to individual children's needs, ensuring that every pupil feels valued and supported.
Our SCARF PSHE curriculum, which includes progressive lessons that help children understand emotions, develop resilience, build positive relationships and learn healthy ways to manage feelings and challenges.
Mental Health Awareness Day activities and themed events, helping to raise awareness and encourage open conversations about mental health.
Assemblies and class discussions that regularly explore emotions, wellbeing, kindness, resilience and positive mental health.
Friday Dance, a much-loved High Legh tradition where pupils and staff come together on the playground to enjoy music, movement and fun during lunchtime.
Above all, our staff are always available to listen, support and guide children whenever they need help. By working together, we aim to create a school community where every child feels a sense of belonging, develops confidence and resilience, and is able to flourish both academically and emotionally.
Resources
If you would like some extra support or are interested in learning more about children's mental health and wellbeing, please have a look at the websites below. All of them offer advice and resources to support you at home.
Tips to help support children and young people
- Be there to listen
Regularly ask how they’re doing so they get used to talking about their feelings and know there’s always someone to listen if they want it. Find out how to create a space where they will open up.
https://www.youngminds.org.uk/parent/how-to-talk-to-your-child-about-mental-health/ - Support them through difficulties
Pay attention to their emotions and behaviour, and try to help them work through difficulties. It’s not always easy when faced with challenging behaviour, but try to help them understand what they’re feeling and why.
https://maudsleycharity.org/familiesunderpressure/ - Stay involved in their lives
Show interest in their life and the things important to them. It not only helps them value who they are but also makes it easier for you to spot problems and support them. - Encourage their interests
Being active or creative, learning new things and being a part of a team help connect us with others and are important ways we can all help our mental health. Support and encourage them to explore their interests, whatever they are. - Take what they say seriously
Listening to and valuing what they say, without judging their feelings, in turn makes them feel valued. Consider how to help them process and work through their emotions in a more constructive way.
https://www.annafreud.org/resources/schools-and-colleges/seven-ways-to-support-children-and-young-people-who-are-worried/ - Build positive routines
We know it still may not be easy, but try to reintroduce structure around regular routines, healthy eating and exercise. A good night’s sleep is also really important – try to get them into routines that fit with school.
https://thesleepcharity.org.uk/information-support/children/relaxation-tips/