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Sunderland Junior School prioritises wellbeing of pupils

Broadway Junior School has been celebrating its hard work on ensuring that the mental health and wellbeing of their children, parents and staff is at the heart of everything they do.  Deputy Head Teacher Nicola Walker said that ‘our aim is that we are happy, healthy and safe. This has been one of our main priorities even before the pandemic, and is even more important now that we are dealing with the after effects.’

The Schools North East Partner School participates in many national events and activities, including Children’s Mental Health Week and Anti-Bullying Week, but also incorporates regular events throughout the year. 

‘Kindness Calendars’, which celebrate the benefits of a gift or kind act, take place for both pupils and members of staff, while the Wellbeing page on the school website is consistently updated with a range of services and support available to everyone.  The school also promotes wellbeing and mental health services and initiatives via its Twitter account and keeps parents further informed through the school newsletter and texts, encouraging them to ask for support when needed.

The school has set up an ‘Action for Happiness’ calendar that is shared monthly, suggesting positive activities for children, parents and carers to do together.  Members of staff stand by the school gates both at the start and end of the school day, so that they can spot any signs of emotional distress and to support those who may need it  immediately. Similarly, parents can ask for support, discuss any concerns or pass information onto staff, helping the school to ensure all children are happy and supported.

Broadway Junior School has also a number of mental health support practices in place, with many already in existence prior to the outbreak of Covid. Ms Walker went on to say that ‘one of our wonderful HLTAs has undertaken the full-time role of Mental Health and Wellbeing Support Lead,’ who now works with children around a number of issues, including bereavement, anxiety and stress.  ‘The participants take part in a range of activities designed to support positive mental wellbeing, including ‘Time to Talk’ gardening, painting, harvesting vegetables, feeding the birds, among many others.’

The school also has an Early Help Worker from Together for Children in school two days a week, allowing for advice, support and direct interventions to take place at the earliest point of identified need, with an Educational Mental Health Practitioner to work onsite one day a week.

‘The aim of the Educational Mental Health Practitioner’, Nicola states, ‘is to provide valuable mental health support to specific children, as well as leading class discussions on wellbeing.’

They also provide in-house support by being a familiar face and through low-intensity interventions, such as guided self-help based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).

The children at Broadway Junior School are more than happy to participate in the drive for better mental health for everyone, with many willing to become Playtime Wellbeing Leaders. By leading by example at break time, the children look out for others, praising those who are behaving well and are being kind to others. According to Ms Walker, ‘children know that they can speak to a Wellbeing Leader (who are easy to spot with their bright blue vests) if they need a friend, or have any concerns.’

Staff CPD is also at the forefront of the wellbeing initiative at Broadway Junior School, as the school’s PSHE Co-ordinator has just completed their Senior Mental Health Lead training and is now working towards the Mental Health Charter Mark Award. Nicola states that ‘all staff continue to have the opportunity to add to their wellbeing and Mental Health CPD through the many online training courses currently on offer, including ICAMHS training,’ while all mental health professionals who work in the school regularly meet and ensure that the needs of the children and families are being sufficiently met.

The mental health and wellbeing of students, staff and families continues to take its place on the list of schools’ priorities and it’s wonderful to hear of a Partner School echoing our own drive for everyone to have access to the support they need.

The Schools North East Healthy MindED Conference, taking place on Friday 20th May, will look at the ongoing impact on the pandemic on mental health and wellbeing and is a great opportunity for you to connect with colleagues, learn from practitioners and experts and to be supported in your role.

Find out more about Healthy MindED here

News

Sunderland Junior School prioritises wellbeing of pupils

Broadway Junior School has been celebrating its hard work on ensuring that the mental health and wellbeing of their children, parents and staff is at the heart of everything they do.  Deputy Head Teacher Nicola Walker said that ‘our aim is that we are happy, healthy and safe. This has been one of our main priorities even before the pandemic, and is even more important now that we are dealing with the after effects.’

The Schools North East Partner School participates in many national events and activities, including Children’s Mental Health Week and Anti-Bullying Week, but also incorporates regular events throughout the year.  

‘Kindness Calendars’, which celebrate the benefits of a gift or kind act, take place for both pupils and members of staff, while the Wellbeing page on the school website is consistently updated with a range of services and support available to everyone.  The school also promotes wellbeing and mental health services and initiatives via its Twitter account and keeps parents further informed through the school newsletter and texts, encouraging them to ask for support when needed. 

The school has set up an ‘Action for Happiness’ calendar that is shared monthly, suggesting positive activities for children, parents and carers to do together.  Members of staff stand by the school gates both at the start and end of the school day, so that they can spot any signs of emotional distress and to support those who may need it  immediately. Similarly, parents can ask for support, discuss any concerns or pass information onto staff, helping the school to ensure all children are happy and supported.

Broadway Junior School has also a number of mental health support practices in place, with many already in existence prior to the outbreak of Covid. Ms Walker went on to say that ‘one of our wonderful HLTAs has undertaken the full-time role of Mental Health and Wellbeing Support Lead,’ who now works with children around a number of issues, including bereavement, anxiety and stress.  ‘The participants take part in a range of activities designed to support positive mental wellbeing, including ‘Time to Talk’ gardening, painting, harvesting vegetables, feeding the birds, among many others.’

The school also has an Early Help Worker from Together for Children in school two days a week, allowing for advice, support and direct interventions to take place at the earliest point of identified need, with an Educational Mental Health Practitioner to work onsite one day a week.

‘The aim of the Educational Mental Health Practitioner’, Nicola states, ‘is to provide valuable mental health support to specific children, as well as leading class discussions on wellbeing.’

They also provide in-house support by being a familiar face and through low-intensity interventions, such as guided self-help based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT).

The children at Broadway Junior School are more than happy to participate in the drive for better mental health for everyone, with many willing to become Playtime Wellbeing Leaders. By leading by example at break time, the children look out for others, praising those who are behaving well and are being kind to others. According to Ms Walker, ‘children know that they can speak to a Wellbeing Leader (who are easy to spot with their bright blue vests) if they need a friend, or have any concerns.’

Staff CPD is also at the forefront of the wellbeing initiative at Broadway Junior School, as the school’s PSHE Co-ordinator has just completed their Senior Mental Health Lead training and is now working towards the Mental Health Charter Mark Award. Nicola states that ‘all staff continue to have the opportunity to add to their wellbeing and Mental Health CPD through the many online training courses currently on offer, including ICAMHS training,’ while all mental health professionals who work in the school regularly meet and ensure that the needs of the children and families are being sufficiently met.

The mental health and wellbeing of students, staff and families continues to take its place on the list of schools’ priorities and it’s wonderful to hear of a Partner School echoing our own drive for everyone to have access to the support they need.

The Schools North East Healthy MindED Conference, taking place on Friday 20th May, will look at the ongoing impact on the pandemic on mental health and wellbeing and is a great opportunity for you to connect with colleagues, learn from practitioners and experts and to be supported in your role.

Find out more about Healthy MindED here 

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