Supporting Children to Develop Positive Mental Health at Broomhill.

Mental Health and Wellbeing

We understand that school plays a vital role in supporting staff and children’s mental health and well-being. We all have mental health and we believe it is important that children and staff are encouraged and supported to talk about and look after their mental health every day.

Well-being sessions are built into our daily timetable, PHSE and RHSE curriculum and children are encouraged to take part in a range of activities whether they are learning in school or at home. Our well being activities are based around the 5 Ways to Wellbeing, developed by the NHS.

Being mentally healthy means that we feel good about ourselves, make and keep positive relationships with others and can feel and manage the full range of emotions. These can range from happiness, excitement and curiosity through to less comfortable feelings such as anger, fear or sadness. Good mental health allows us to cope with life’s ups and downs, to feel in control of our lives and to ask for help from others when we need support.

At Broomhill Junior School we are committed to promoting positive mental health and well-being for our pupils and staff. We are a caring, nurturing and ‘listening school' and have a number of strategies in place to support pupils who may be struggling to manage their emotions and mental health. These include the following-

• the school values are also referenced to support children on a daily basis and are an engrained element of the school culture and ethos. These are our 5R's: resilient, relationships, reflective, respect and responsible,
• having several points of contact including our mental health champions and ELSA trained Learning Mentors Sara Duffin and Amber Crockett. Our Head Teacher, Andrew Beckinsale-Yates has also undertaken Department for Education Senior Mental Health Lead training,
• Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE) and Relationship, Health and Sex Education (RHSE) are central to the curriculum across the school. PSHE and RHSE assist children to develop positive relationships and cope with changes within their lives and involving their body, introduces them to a wider world and the language of choice, helps to manage transitions and enables them to make an active contribution to their communities.
• growth mindset is a key part of the whole school ethos, where children are encouraged to attempt challenges, be resilient and use metacognition strategies to build on prior learning and push themselves to achieve their very best,
• the computing and PHSE curriculum covers E-Safety and children this support teaching by leading assemblies and promoting how to stay safe online and as well as online image,
• regular sports clubs at lunchtime and after school include daily mile, wheelchair basket ball, badminton, boxing, judo, football, rounders, ActiveSport (alternative sports, multiskills) encouraging healthy bodies as well as minds. We also have a 30 piece outdoor gym on site for children to use.
• clubs that promote mental well-being and mindfulness are being developed and children are offered targeted support to access these. These include gardening, eco-school, yoga, cookery and animal care.
• assemblies celebrate differences and we openly discuss mental health and well-being, topics relating to this and how to support themselves and others, when to seek help etc and enable open discussion for all alongside the knowledge that there is a network of support surrounding them.
• healthy school eating is encouraged.
• healthy cookery sessions linked to the curriculum are planned within each year group and many children access Breakfast or Cookery Club as a before or after school activity to support cooking skills as well as the nurturing element of eating together.
• outdoor learning and Forest School sessions are used across the school and enhance the curriculum.
• educational visits and residential visits support outdoor learning and co-operative learning where children are supported to access their local area and work outside of the confines of the school environment. These support cultural capital,
• providing daily reflection time,  'time to talk' and circle time sessions,
• running nurture sessions,
• creating a 'safe' place,
• having a restorative approach to behaviour management,
• sharing coping strategies/mechanisms with pupils,
• staff/parent/pupil contracts
• individual care plans,
• working with external agencies for example-CAMHS, bereavement counselling etc.
• peer mentoring,
• having animals on site. Including poultry, turkeys, pigs, cattle and our own school dog,
• having opportunities to participate in decision making (e.g. School Council, School Ambassadors)
• participating in activities that encourage belonging (e.g., Circle Time, SEAL, Drawing and Talking, Play/Art/Lego Therapy sessions) promoted through our PSHE curriculum,
• access to appropriate support that meets their needs (e.g., Teacher and TA support in class, SENCO, SLT and external agencies including Educational psychologist provision.)

   

Questionnaires.

We as a school are very reflective of our practice. Regular questionnaires are conducted with staff, parent/carers and children. These are analysed and then relevant action is taken. Findings and actions are shared with the school community and impact measured by the Head Teacher. This ensures that everyone has a voice and that their voice is valued.

NottAlone Website Launch

NottAlone is a new website sharing local mental health advice and help for young people in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, all in one place. If you are a young person, a parent or carer or a professional who supports young people’s mental health, NottAlone can provide you with information, advice and where to go to get help locally; in person, online or by phone.

Funded by the Department for Education Wellbeing for Education Return Project, NottAlone was developed by young people, parents, carers and professionals from Nottinghamshire County and Nottingham City councils and NHS trusts, as well as local charities and organisations (see Website List of Steering Group Contributors). You can find out more about NottAlone in our Frequently Asked Questions list on the next page.

Visitors to the NottAlone website can search the site according to the specific mental health issue they need help with and there are different versions of the information for young people, parents and carers and professionals, including school/college staff. You can find a brief YouTube video giving you an overview of the site here.

We are keen to hear feedback from all visitors during the initial launch and testing phase. Please visit www.nottalone.org.uk, follow us @NottAlone1 on Twitter and share the website with anyone who needs it!

Q What is NottAlone and who is it for?
It’s a website with local mental health advice & help for young people in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, all in one place. If you are aged under 25, are a parent or carer, or a professional that supports young people, you can find information, advice and where to go to get help locally.

Q Why was NottAlone created?
It was created to help young people, parents and carers and professionals to access the right mental health information and support for them. Young people, parents and carers were part of the design team from the beginning. Key partners include Nottinghamshire County Council, Nottingham City Council and Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.

Q What will NottAlone do?
It is a directory for mental health information and services for children and young people across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. The website provides information and advice about specific and general mental health issues as well as links to local services who can help.

Q What is the difference between NottAlone and other
directories such as ASK Lion and Notts Help Yourself?
NottAlone provides help and advice about mental health services across Nottingham City and Nottinghamshire, all in one place for the first time. The website is the place to go for information about young people’s mental health. NottAlone will link to ASK Lion and Notts Help Yourself, which provide information about the full range of services for lots of different needs.
 

Support During Lockdown.

The Learning Mentor Team are sending out a regular newsletter with guidance and support that will help you get through this current lockdown. It has practical ideas and help to keep your mental health positive and how to support your children through this difficult time.