Mental Health and Wellbeing

Happy Children, Ready to Thrive

At Mab Lane Primary School, we believe that children's emotional health and wellbeing are just as important as their physical health.

We want every child to feel happy, safe, valued and understood. Positive wellbeing helps children to learn, build relationships, develop resilience and enjoy their time at school.

Our commitment to Only the Best means looking after the whole child – academically, socially and emotionally.

A Whole-School Approach to Wellbeing

Promoting positive mental health and wellbeing is not something we do only when a child is experiencing difficulties. It is part of everyday life at Mab Lane.

Our approach is based around eight key principles:

1. Leadership and Management

Positive mental health and wellbeing are priorities for our school. Leaders promote a culture where children and adults feel valued, supported and able to ask for help when they need it.

2. Curriculum, Teaching and Learning

Through our curriculum, particularly PSHE and Relationships Education, children develop their understanding of emotions, relationships, resilience, healthy choices and ways to look after their own wellbeing.

Children learn that everyone experiences difficult feelings at times and that asking for help is a positive and important thing to do.

3. Pupil Voice

We listen to our children.

Children are given opportunities to share their views, contribute to decisions and tell us about their experiences of school. We want every child to know that their voice matters.

4. Staff Development and Wellbeing

We recognise that the wellbeing of our staff is important too.

We support staff to develop their knowledge and understanding of children's emotional wellbeing and mental health, while also recognising the importance of supporting their own wellbeing.

5. Identifying Need and Monitoring Support

Our staff know our children well.

We aim to recognise changes in behaviour, emotions or circumstances that may indicate a child needs some additional support. Where support is put in place, we consider its impact and adapt our approach according to the child's individual needs.

6. Working With Parents and Carers

Families know their children best, which is why working in partnership with parents and carers is so important.

We encourage families to talk to us if they have concerns about their child's emotional wellbeing. By sharing information and working together, we can help children receive support as early as possible.

7. Targeted Support and Referrals

Some children will need additional support at different points in their lives.

Our Pastoral Team can provide targeted support within school, and where a child or family requires more specialist help, we can work with and signpost or refer to appropriate external services.

8. An Inclusive and Supportive Environment

We want Mab Lane to be a school where everyone belongs.

Our values of Honesty, Respect, Happiness, Positivity, Kindness and Perseverance help us create an environment where differences are respected, relationships are positive and children feel safe to be themselves.

Helping Children Look After Their Wellbeing

Throughout their time at Mab Lane, we help children develop strategies they can use to support their own emotional wellbeing.

We encourage children to:

• recognise and talk about their feelings

• develop positive friendships and relationships

• understand that it is normal to experience different emotions

• identify trusted adults they can talk to

• develop resilience when things do not go as planned

• understand the importance of sleep, exercise, healthy choices and relaxation

• recognise when they or someone else may need help

• celebrate their strengths and achievements

• understand that asking for help is a sign of strength.

There Is Always Someone to Talk To

We want every child to know that they never have to manage a worry alone.

Children can speak to their class teacher, a teaching assistant, a member of our Pastoral Team or any trusted adult in school.

Parents and carers who are concerned about their child's emotional health or wellbeing are also encouraged to contact us. Sometimes a conversation is all that is needed; at other times, we can work together to identify additional support.

Please contact the school office on 0151 259 4282 if you would like to speak to someone about your child.

Only the Best for the Whole Child

Success at Mab Lane is about much more than academic achievement.

We want our children to leave us as happy, confident and resilient young people who understand their emotions, value themselves and others, know how to look after their wellbeing and feel confident asking for support when they need it.

Looking after children's wellbeing is fundamental to helping them become the very best they can be.

Only the Best – because every child deserves nothing less.