At Our Lady of Hartley, we are committed to supporting the emotional health and wellbeing of our pupils. Supporting and promoting wellbeing, building resilience and good mental health will improve outcomes for our children. 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. We know that everyone experiences life challenges that can make us vulnerable and at times, anyone may need additional emotional support. 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.
We have regular PSHE lessons to build on social skills, wellbeing and our school values. There are areas around the school where children can access books and we promote strategies to support and look after our wellbeing and mental health. Children can access the Listening Ear Box and speak to Mrs Glennon.
At Our Lady of Hartley we have a whole school restorative approach where we encourage:
RESPECT – for everyone by listening to other opinions and learning to value them
RESPONSIBILITY – taking responsibility for our own actions
REPAIR – developing the skills within our school community so children have the necessary skills to identify solutions that repair harm and ensure behaviours are not repeated
PASTORAL CARE LEAD: Mrs Glennon, supporting Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing for Pupils, Mental Health First Aider, ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant) trained, trained Draw and Talk Therapist.
ELSA Emotional Literacy Support
Draw and Talk sessions
Gardening Club
Sensory Circuits
Confidence/Self-esteem groups
Circle time
PSHE lessons
Transition to secondary school program
Summer holiday wellbeing club
FREE Training for Families
Course for families and parents/carers who may benefit from learning more about how you can have conversations about mental health.
Our next dates are on the 14th of March and the 20th of March – linked below.
https://www.maidstonemind.org/everyday-mental-health-training-14th-march/
https://www.maidstonemind.org/everyday-mental-health-training-20th-march/