St Polycarp's Catholic Primary School

St Polycarp's Catholic Primary School St Polycarp's Catholic Primary School

Childline

Mental Health and Wellbeing

Mental Health Champion

 

By 2025, the government aims for every school and college to have a designated wellbeing or mental health lead, we are proud at St Polycarp’s that we have had a Mental Health and Wellbeing Lead in place since 2020.  In this role it is my responsibility to:

  • oversee a whole-school approach to wellbeing
  • provide staff with knowledge and confidence to understand and recognise signs of poor mental health in pupils and know where to go with any concerns
  • oversee the provision the school gives to pupils with mental health difficulties
  • manage how staff are supported with their own mental health

 

At St Polycarp’s we see how valuable this is and how important it is to act now. 

  • We are passionate about ensuring that all aspects of our children’s lives are considered; intellectually, morally, socially and emotionally. At St Polycarp’s we take the wellbeing of our children very seriously by taking a whole-school approach as they face the various challenges that modern life presents, ensuring that mental health and emotional resilience is discussed within the curriculum

I am very aware that for our children to flourish their emotional state is key.  Working together – Parents, Teachers and Support Staff – we can give each other the strength needed to see through the bad days… and feel more joy in life.  As a result, our children will see how successful relationships and empathy can give everyone hope of a better life experience.  We will always have an eye on ways we can alleviate stress and I look forward to working on it with all of our Poly’s family.

To assist with this we have a team of Year 6 trained Mental Health Ambassadors working with each year group, alongside several staff members who are trained Mental Health Responders. Additionally, we have a number of staff throughout the school that are trained Mental Health and Wellbeing Responders.

We know, having good mental health helps us relax more, achieve more and enjoy our lives more. The NHS have expert advice and practical tips to help you look after your mental health and wellbeing. 

By clicking on this link and answering 5 quick questions you will get a free plan with tips to help you deal with stress and anxiety, improve your sleep, boost your mood and feel more in control. Additionally, there are a number of useful links below:

Barnardo's  - Mental Health & Wellbeing   offering mental health services across the UK to help children, young people, and families when they need us most.

Anna Freud   transforming mental health by working with infants, children, young people and their families, their communities and professionals to deliver timely evidence-based support for all.

E-wellbeing  as a range of practical tools, advice and guidance to help teachers, therapists and parents/carers support the mental health and wellbeing of young people.

Mindworks, Surrey  , the new emotional wellbeing and mental health service for children and young people in Surrey.

Finally, we are always open to new ideas and thoughts on how we can continue to move forward in Wellbeing and Mental Health.

Thank you all for your continued support.

Martyn Peebles

National Educational Leader in Mental Health