Mental Health and Wellbeing Support
At Guilsborough C of E Primary School, we aim to promote positive mental health for every member of our school community (children, staff, parents, carers and stakeholders). We recognise how important mental health and wellbeing is in our lives, and that it is equally as important as physical health. Mental health is a critical part of a child’s wellbeing, and we recognise that poor mental health can adversely affect a child’s learning and progress. Our whole school values are at the root of all we do in school, and we use these positively to promote good mental health and wellbeing for all of our community.
Our Senior Mental Health Lead, Mrs. Shilliam, has received specialist training to help ensure that wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do as a school.
All our staff have been trained in Emotion Coaching, a supportive approach that helps us understand children’s feelings and behaviours. By focusing on emotions and experiences, we can guide children in managing their feelings in a healthy way.
Wellbeing is very important to us. We are very lucky to have a Pastoral Support team who have been highly trained in supporting our children’s spiritual, moral, social, cultural and emotional wellbeing.
Mrs K. Shilliam
Headteacher
Mental Health Lead
Mrs D. Holcombe
SENDCO
Mrs C. Allcott
Family Support Worker
Miss A. Merritt
Nurture Club Leader
We pride ourselves on supporting children through their concerns, often helping with school/home life stress, emotional wellbeing, mental health, developing resilience, techniques to improve academic performance, or simply with day to day life.
Nurture Club, workshops and meetings
We have a dedicated wellbeing Nurture Club which takes place daily at lunchtimes, where children can choose to take time out from the playground for mindful activities like drawing, colouring, yoga, art or playing a game.
Included in the list below are some of the workshops and meetings that take place during the school year to provide support to our pupils:
- Meet and greet mornings
- Nurture Club
- Art therapy
- Drop in ‘TALK’ sessions
- Meditation workshops
- Yoga
- Self-esteem workshops
- Anxiety and worries workshops
- Anger management workshops
- Healthy mind and body sessions
- Transition support
- Parental support
Family Support Worker
Our Family Support Worker, Mrs. Allcott, is highly experienced in helping children and families with emotional wellbeing. She has specialist training in Emotional Literacy Support and is here to offer guidance, whether you need advice or just a friendly chat over a cup of coffee. Mrs Allcott is also a Mental Health First Aider.
The Family Support Worker (FSW) role is to provide help to parents/ carers and their children whenever they need it.
The type of support she can provide includes:
- Early Help- working together to support families before reaching crisis point
- Giving practical advice on parenting, local services, advocacy and completing forms
- Helping to improve family relationships
- Signposting families to outside agencies to assist with issues such as bereavement, finances and budgeting, domestic violence, legal and community advice and parenting courses.
FSW will also support pupils in school:
- Promoting self-esteem and confidence
- Promoting positive behaviour and positive attitudes to learning
- Providing one to one support around a specific need including emotions, bereavement and friendships
- Carrying out ‘drop-ins’ so children have a friendly face to talk with about any worries they may have, no matter how big or small.
How to contact us
Parents and carers are able to request support by:
- Phoning the school office – 01604 740307
- Speaking to their child’s class teacher
Class teachers will also refer children to the Family Support Worker if they have any concerns and parents of these children will be contacted to discuss these matters over the phone or at a meeting at school.
Everyone may benefit from a little help from time to time and family support is individual and will look different for every family according to their need. Anything you discuss with Mrs Allcott will be confidential unless she believes there is a risk to your child’s safety.
Useful Websites
Useful websites for children and parents to support wellbeing and mental health:
Improving children’s and young peoples mental health – Place2Be
Promoting mental health and wellbeing | NSPCC Learning
Mental Health And Wellbeing | Anna Freud
YoungMinds | Mental Health Charity For Children And Young People | YoungMinds
