Wellbeing and Mental Health
At Mayplace Primary School, we are committed to supporting the emotional health and wellbeing of all our pupils. We know that everyone experiences life challenges that can make us vulnerable, and at times anyone may need additional emotional support. We take the view that positive mental health is everybody’s business and that we all have a role to play.
Lead staff members:
Rachael Flaherty: Head Teacher, Designated Safeguarding Lead
Claire Johnson: Deputy Head Teacher, Inclusion Lead and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead
Clare Wells: Provision Leader and Designated Mental Health Lead
Jane Demetriou: Family Liaison Officer
Sue Finch: SENCo
At our school, we:
Help children to understand their emotions and feelings better. This includes providing extra support for pupils with SEND such as Zones of Regulation to support them with recognising their emotions.
Provide an environment where children feel comfortable sharing any concerns or worries.
Help children socially to form and maintain relationships.
Promote self-esteem and ensure children know that they count.
Give children a voice regarding wellbeing issues generally and for individual children regarding the support that they receive.
Encourage children to be confident and ‘dare to be different’.
Help children to develop emotional resilience and to manage setbacks.
How do we support children’s mental health and wellbeing at Mayplace?
Universal Support – In every class, activities are planned into the timetable regularly that will support mental health e.g. outdoor learning activities, sensory circuits and mindfulness. All classes discuss issues relating to mental health and wellbeing as part of the PHSE curriculum. All classes have a check in board so children are able to show how they are feeling and staff are able to check in with those children who need it.
Peer Support – Our Wellbeing Ambassadors meet regularly to discuss wellbeing initiatives and events to support all of our children. We also have a group of children from year 5 and 6 who have been trained as Peer Mentors and support younger children throughout the school by being good listeners and positive role models.
Additional support – Some children might need extra support on top of what they receive in class as a concern has been raised by a teacher, a parent or the child themselves through our termly wellbeing questionnaires. These children will receive an additional group intervention focussed on a specific area such as self-esteem or friendship. Other children might receive regular check-ins from a member of the wellbeing team. Parents/carers are always informed when children are part of these interventions.
Targeted support – Some children might be having more specific or serious difficulties and will require targeted 1-1 support such as Draw and Talk or Therapeutic Play. These interventions will last as long as needed and are run by Mrs Demetriou who is trained in delivering these therapeutic interventions. Parents/carers are always informed when children are part of these interventions.
Referrals to outside agencies – Sometimes children need more specialised support than we can offer them, or we need specialised guidance in how to best support a child. In these cases, we will refer a child (with the parent/carer’s consent) to an agency such as Community Health and Wellbeing Service (CHeWs) and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS)
If you are concerned about your child’s mental wellbeing, please speak to your child’s class teacher or make an appointment with a member of the Wellbeing Team.
For further mental health support, you may find these websites helpful:
https://headscapebexley.co.uk/
https://www.good-thinking.uk/youngpeople/
Place2Be: Parenting Smart: Articles
Bexley Urgent Mental Health Helpline
Tel: 08003308590
Sleep Resources
