Pupil Wellbeing
At the heart of our school, pupil wellbeing is a shared priority for us all—staff, pupils, parents, and our wider community. Just as we all have fluctuating physical health; we recognise that our mental and emotional needs require the same care and attention.
We are committed to helping children develop a positive attitude toward mental health, providing them with the skills and resilience to navigate difficult times. Through open conversation, our Universal Offer and individualised approaches, we empower pupils to express their emotions, learn to self-regulate, and build a personal toolkit of strategies to stay mentally healthy.
Where specific needs arise, our SENDCO and Designated Safeguarding Leads ensure that tailored support is put in place. We also work in close partnership with expert external agencies, including CAMHS, the ESCC Educational Psychology team, and Behaviour Support, to ensure the very best outcomes for every child.
Our Graduated Approach to Wellbeing
Universal Whole-School Provision
Trusting relationships are the foundation of everything we do. We celebrate the uniqueness of every child, identifying individual strengths and adapting our support accordingly. As part of our Relationships and Health Education (RSHE), all pupils receive one hour of dedicated teaching each week. Our nurturing environment is backed by a collaborative team using a whole-school approach to emotional awareness. This includes the use of Calm Corners, Movement Breaks for all, and the Zones of Regulation framework to help children understand and manage their feelings.
Identifying Low-Level Needs
We empower children to recognise and label their emotions throughout the day using the language of emotional literacy. All staff are trained to identify subtle changes in a child’s behaviour, ensuring that additional support is offered early and effectively whenever a pupil might be struggling.
Supporting Medium-Level Needs
For children experiencing specific wellbeing difficulties, we provide tailored, individualised support. This ranges from informal "check-ins" and the organisation of playtime buddies to structured 1:1 or group sessions led by our trained staff members.
Accessing High-Level Support
Occasionally, children may require the expertise of mental health professionals. In these instances, we work closely with families to facilitate referrals and provide a bridge to specialist external services, ensuring the child feels supported both at home and in school.
Universal Resources
The NSPCC offer support for children's mental health and can be accessed here:
NSPCC: Children's Mental Health support
The BBC have also put together a toolkit for parents to support their children's mental health:
Young Minds also support parents through challenges with their children's mental health:
Getting advice for mild to moderate mental health and wellbeing difficulties:
Advice from the Children's and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS):
Telephone Services
- Childline: 0800 1111
- Sussex Mental Health Helpline (24 hours): 0800 0309 500
- Text SUSSEX to 85258 for a free, confidential conversation with a trained volunteer.