Well-being

'Mental health is a state of well-being in which every individual realises his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community.' (World Health Organisation)

A Branfil Primary School we aim to promote positive mental health and wellbeing for every member of our staff and every pupil.  We pursue this aim using whole school and targeted approaches aimed at vulnerable pupils.  In addition to promoting positive mental health, we aim to recognise and respond to mental ill health.  

Here you will find some helpful resources and links that set out the school's procedures around wellbeing support and also can be used to support children's mental health and wellbeing.

If you are concerned about your child's mental health or wellbeing, ensure that you speak to the class teacher in the first instance.  They can then refer your concerns to the appropriate member of staff.  

Every Mind Matters

Most families have experienced upheaval in their daily lives during the pandemic. With children now back at school, the new Public Health England (PHE) Better Health – Every Mind Matters campaign provides NHS-endorsed tips and advice to help children and young people’s mental wellbeing, and equip parents and carers with the knowledge to support them.

The new advice available on the Every Mind Matters website has been developed in partnership with leading children and young people’s mental health charities, including Young Minds, The Mix, Place2Be and The Anna Freud Centre. It is designed to help parents and carers spot the signs that children may be struggling with their mental health and support them, and also provides advice that can help maintain good mental wellbeing. The site also provides tools to help young people build resilience and equips them to look after their mental wellbeing.

Mentor Scheme

At Branfil, we have many pupils who need some kind of mental health or wellbeing input at various times of the year.  These range from needing to meet with a designated member of staff daily to needing a chat very rarely.  Currently, Mrs Mead and Mrs Smith are meeting with these pupils regularly, but we also have mentors who are available if and when pupils need to speak to an adult. 

Some members of staff have volunteered to become a mentor that will pair with pupils with lower levels of need.  They will become a designated first point of call if that pupil needs to talk about something in particular.  This may be an issue they are having, a concern they have or just to generally talk through their thoughts at the time.  This could also be used for a time of mindfulness or meditation.  

The desirable impact would be that pupils with lower levels of need would still receive mental health and wellbeing input when necessary, without needing fixed, regularly meetings.  This would also develop members of staff in mentoring and their knowledge and experience of supporting pupils with mental health and wellbeing needs.  

If you need further support or advice from outside agencies please see the links below - 

http://www.mentallyhealthyschools.org.uk
http://www.place2be.org.uk
www.mind.org.uk