Mental Health and Wellbeing

Children at Newcroft are taught about good mental health and wellbeing through our PSHE, RSE, Science, Online Safety, PE and Character Keys curriculum. We actively promote mental resilience as part of our school's values. 

Children are given many opportunities to share their feelings or concerns with their class teachers through circle time, PSHE and RSE lessons, pupil surveys, class or personalized feelings walls and worry monsters or boxes in each classroom. Pupils are also encouraged to talk to about worries, anxieties or concerns informally to any member of staff and that they will always be listened to. 

Some children, who need extra help, may be referred to specialist services such as CAMHS, their GP or our in school ELSA for more support. Some of our staff are trained in intervention therapies such as anger management or Lego therapy to support small groups of pupils who need additionally help. 

See our pastoral hub for more help with mental health and wellbeing. 

Wellbeing Champions

At Newcroft, we recognise the importance of positive mental health and wellbeing for our pupils for successful learning, achievement and play. This has never been more the case than now. We also believe it is important for pupils to have a voice, be able to contribute ideas and influence how to improve the wellbeing of their peers across the school.

We have pupil Wellbeing Champions/ Ambassadors, as part of our job centre roles. This group of pupil leaders will work closely with our Pastoral Leader, Miss Brailsford and our Family Outreach Worker, Mrs Robe, to support pupils with awareness, challenges and tips about how to look after their mental health and wellbeing. Our Wellbeing Champions help to foster peer to peer level support and to o help drive forward positive change and support for the whole school community by:

• Being a positive role model and promote a healthy lifestyle, especially the importance of exercise and a balanced diet.
• Encouraging children to look at whether they can sort out a problem themselves, or if they need to talk to an adult. 
• Promoting our Anti-Bullying policy across the school – to be the eyes and ears for the school and find further help to children who may be experiencing bullying behaviours.
• Supporting children to have fun and healthy play in the playground – helping with games and activities to encourage inclusion and positive interaction.

Signposting to support for pupils and parents

NHS supporting children with mental health

Young Minds

Barnardos help for families with mental health concerns

Self Help Websites for Young People

Kooth Free online support for young people

Kooth counsellors are online Monday-Friday, 12 noon till 10pm and weekends, 6pm till 10pm. www.kooth.com

Young Minds

YoungMinds is the UK’s leading charity committed to improving the emotional wellbeing and mental health of children and young people. Just as people’s bodies can become unwell, people’s minds can become unwell too. Mental health problems are more common than you might think – three children in every classroom have a mental health problem. Young Minds offer information to young people and children about mental health and emotional wellbeing. If you need to talk, they can let you know about organisations that listen, plus they offer online support and info. www.youngminds.org.uk

ChildLine

Childline is the UK’s free helpline for children and young people. It provides a confidential telephone counselling service for any child or young person with a problem. It comforts, advises and protects. So, if you are worried about anything, big or small – don’t bottle it up. It can really help if you talk to someone. If there is something on your mind, ChildLine is there for you. You can visit the Childline Explore section for advice and information on a range of topics. Also, you can get support on the online message boards. ‘Everyone helps each other out and is going through the same things as me – it’s a really welcoming place’ Freephone 0800 1111 (24 hours and the call won’t show on your phone bill) www.childline.org.uk