Stretham Community Primary School
Welcome
Well-being
At Stretham Primary School, we are committed to supporting the emotional health and wellbeing of all our pupils and staff. We know that everyone experiences life challenges that can make us vulnerable and at times, anyone may need additional emotional support. We take the view that positive mental health is everybody’s business and that we all have a role to play.
Here are a few ways we support the emotional and mental health of pupils at Stretham Community Primary School:
The Five Ways to Wellbeing
Evidence suggests there are 5 steps we can all take to improve our mental health and wellbeing. We encourage our children to try these things to help us feel more positive and able to get the most out of life...
- Connect.
- Get Moving.
- Find Time for You!
- Stop and Take Notice.
- Give to Others.
The Zones of Regulation
In school, all pupils and staff use the zones of regulation as a way for us all to think and talk about how we feel on the inside. It is a way for us to sort our emotions into four coloured zones; everyone emotion is normal and part of everyday life, and we encourage the children to recognise this and respond to their feelings in an appropriate way. Each pupil builds their own 'toolkit' - ways to respond to their emotions and help them get back into the 'green zone'. Having this common language and terminology really helps us all.
ELSA
At Stretham Primary School, we are lucky to have an Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA), who works with children who may be showing early signs of emotional or mental health difficulties. Mrs Galbraith has completed special training from Educational Psychologists in knowing how to support the emotional development of children and young people in school and has regular professional supervision from an Educational Psychologist to help her in her work.
Our ELSA work in school aims to help children:
- develop coping strategies and talk about difficulties.
- interact more successfully with others.
- develop greater self-awareness manage school better and feel better about themselves.
- feel they have been listened to and supported.
Pets as Therapy
Teddy is a three year old Cavapoo dog, who is registered as a Pets as Therapy Dog, as well as with the Read2Dogs scheme. Teddy, with his owner Carly, comes into school one afternoon a week, to support some children with their mental health, confidence and wellbeing, as well as hearing them read!
Here are some resources and links to support mental health and wellbeing…
- https://www.nspcc.org.uk - Pages devoted to supporting children and young people during lockdown, as well as tips and advice on working from home.
- https://www.annafreud.org/what-we-do/anna-freud-learning-network/coronavirus/ - Anna Freud (National Centre for Children and Families), supporting young people’s mental health during periods of disruption.
- https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/ - NHS Every Mind Matters -providing expert advice and practical tips to help you look after your mental health and wellbeing.
- https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/moodzone-mental-wellbeing-audio-guides/ - a set of free self-help audio guides on different topics such as anxiety, low mood, sleep and unhelpful thinking. There are also links to other sources of support.
- https://www.keep-your-head.com/cyp - provides a wealth of information on looking after your mental health.
- www.samaritans.org - 24/7 confidential listening service
- https://www.womensaid.org.uk/ - advice and support for women and children experiencing domestic abuse.
- https://mensadviceline.org.uk – advice and support for men experiencing domestic abuse.
Internet Safety
Parents: for information about Internet Safety: https://www.cambslearntogether.co.uk/cambridgeshire-school-improvement/home-learning/home-learning/computing
Advice about staying safe when you're on a phone, tablet or computer - https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/parents/