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Over the course of their education, children spend over 7,800 hours at school. With such a huge amount of time spent in the classroom, schools provide an ideal environment for promoting good emotional wellbeing and identifying early behaviour changes and signs of mental distress. The social and emotional skills, knowledge and behaviours that young people learn in the classroom can help them to build resilience and set the pattern for how they will manage their mental health throughout their lives. Emotional wellbeing is a clear indicator of academic achievement, success and satisfaction in later life. Evidence shows that mental health and wellbeing programmes in schools, can lead to significant improvements in children’s mental health, and social and emotional skills. Wellbeing provision in schools can also lead to reductions in classroom misbehaviour and bullying.
For these reasons, here at Southwark, the mental health of our children is extremely important and nurturing and prioritising support for pupils is a fundamental part of our provision. We want to support everyone in our school community so they have good mental health, positive self-esteem and know what to do and who to speak to if they need support. Get in touch if you have any worries or concerns about your child's mental health or wellbeing. There's lots of resources to help everyone, regardless of how they are feeling.
The children at school are exposed to a comprehensive PSHE curriculum which covers important topics which effect children today. Children take part in daily wellbeing and mindfulness activities as part of their timetable including activities such as 'Mindful Moments'. Children also have opportunities to discuss their feelings with staff including learning mentors if they want to. Some children will be offered specialist sessions which are designed to support their emotions and mental health. We also network with a range of different professional organisations and charities to provide the very best support to children when they need it most.
If you are worried about your child's mental health or the wellbeing, we are here to help. Please don't hesitate to get in touch through the school office, or on Class Dojo and we can see how best we can help you and, if needed, sign post you to professional support.
In October this year we all wore yellow in school to focus on children's mental health. The children took part in mindful activities and learnt about how to recognise the importance of keeping our minds healthy as well as our bodies.
Why not click the PDF file at the bottom of the page to access the assembly slides?
Children's Mental Health Week is a mental health week launched by Place2Be to empower, equip and give a voice to all children and young people in the UK. Place2Be's Children's Mental Health Week 2025 is taking place from 3-9 February 2025 and Southwark will be taking part to support children's mental health across the school!
We do a lot to support the mental health of everyone at school; we have a comprehensive PSHE curriculum as well as a 'Mindful Moment' time slot every day, where our children can develop their strategies to support their mental health. Children have many ways in which they can communicate if they have any worries in school or at home so we can access the right support for them.
Mindfulness Calendar
Why not take a look at the mindfulness activity calendar by clicking the link below and have a go yourself and with your families?
SUPPORTING PARENTS HELPFINDER (YOUNG MINDS)
Times are tough for many people right now. Parents find themselves pulled in many different direction and children may be struggling with their mental health.
Young Minds have created a useful 'Supporting Parents Helpfinder'. By answering six questions, parents can find out how to support their child's mental health during the pandemic (and beyond).
Find the help finder here:
https://youngminds.org.uk/supporting-parents-helpfinder/
The website also has a lot of useful information and support which you might find helps.
Young Minds have also created a useful poster highlighting ways to give support to children when they have angry feelings or outbursts and may help families start a conversation and talk about each other’s feelings.
CALM ZONE - CHILD LINE
There are lots of ways to feel calmer. It's about finding what works for you. Calm Zone teaches you some breathing exercises, activities, games and videos to help let go of stress. Try one of the activities or use some of the tools to help you feel better when you're feeling anxious, scared or sad.
https://www.childline.org.uk/toolbox/calm-zone/
CHILD LINE 0800 1111
This website gives you lots of useful advice and guidance on a wide number of issues which might affect you. Childline is yours – a free, private and confidential service where you can talk about anything. They are working a little differently because of coronavirus. But you can still speak to a counsellor every day from 9am - 3:30am.
CHILD FRIENDLY TOOL AVAILABLE TO SUPPORT MENTAL HEALTH
Meet 'OLLEE'...
Funded by BBC Children in Need, this early-intervention tool will help 8-11 year olds with their emotional wellbeing and encourage communication within families.
It’s packed with advice about subjects including school, friendships, family life and the internet – and it’s available now, for free.
Click on the link below to watch a video which introduces it:
https://app.ollee.org.uk/#/welcome
NOTTALONE WEBSITE
Are you or a family member struggling with mental health? The 'NOTTALONE' website provides information and support for young people’s mental health across Nottingham City and Nottinghamshire County.
NottAlone was created to help young people, parents and carers and professionals access the right mental health information and support for them.
ELSA SUPPORT - ADULT & CHILD BEREAVEMENT RESOURCES
https://www.elsa-support.co.uk/bereavement-resources-for-parents-and-school-staff/
CRUSE BEREAVEMENT CARE - support, advice and information to children, young people and adults when someone passes away.
https://www.cruse.org.uk/get-help/coronavirus-bereavement-and-grief
WINSTON'S WISH - help for families and children coping with bereavement.
https://www.winstonswish.org/about-us/
ANNA FREUD National Centre for Children and Families - Self Care Resources and Information
https://www.annafreud.org/on-my-mind/self-care/
SAFE HANDS THINKING MINDS - breathing techniques and other useful resources to reduce anxiety and stress
http://www.safehandsthinkingminds.co.uk/covid-anxiety-stress-resources-links/