At St Barnabas, we promote a mentally healthy environment through:

  • Promoting our school values and encouraging a sense of belonging
  • Promoting pupil voice and opportunities to participate in decision-making
  • Celebrating academic and non-academic achievements in order to promote self-esteem
  • Providing opportunities to develop a sense of worth through taking responsibility for themselves and others
  • Providing opportunities to reflect
  • Access to appropriate support that meets their needs
  • Helping children to understand their emotions and feelings better and to feel comfortable sharing any concerns or worries
  • Helping children to develop emotional resilience and to manage setbacks 

We offer different levels of support:
Universal Support - To meet the needs of all our pupils through our overall ethos and our wider curriculum. For instance, developing happiness through the Happy Tank for all.

Additional support - For those who may have short term needs and those who may have been made vulnerable by life experiences such as bereavement.  

Targeted support - For pupils who need more differentiated support and resources or specific targeted interventions such as ELSA, nurture or cognitive behaviour therapy.

Lead staff members to contact if you are concerned about your child’s mental health: Mrs Ham (Headteacher, DSL and Mental Health First Aider) or Mrs Wilkinson (Deputy Headteacher, SENDCO and Mental Health First Aider)

What do we currently do for mental health and wellbeing for our pupils and staff?

  • We have a designated Mental Health and Wellbeing Lead in school that is responsible for promoting wellbeing for our staff and pupils.
  • We have two designated trained ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant) , Mrs Hegarty and Mrs Lyons, who deliver ELSA sessions and 1:1 check in with children in liaison with our SENDCO (Special Needs & Disabilities Co-Ordinator
  • We have nominated school council members  to represent their peers and gain feedback in class smart school councils meetings.
  • We have Class Dojo for all teaching staff so parents can contact with any concerns or worries.
  • We have home/school communication books for pupil’s who require more regular updates.
  • We have move up days, extra transition sessions and meet the teacher sessions for when a pupil is finding a class move difficult.
  • We have a group of Wellbeing Warriors in KS2 that champion children's wellbeing through campaigns, themed days and promoting mental health and wellbeing.
  • We have Key Stage 2 children as play-leaders/sports coaches to support younger children in positive play.
  • We have physical lunchtime activities and forest school sessions to promote mental health and wellbeing 
  • We have mental health and wellbeing trained staff in order to support pupils with their needs.
  • We have positive behaviour systems in place to promote positive social behaviour.
  • We have mental health and wellbeing Worships to promote ways we can support our mental health
  • We have a PSHE curriculum that helps pupils to build important life skills, such as developing resilience and a growth mindset.
  • We have a Mental Health and Wellbeing Policy for our school which is regularly updated.
  • We have a Staff Wellbeing Charter.
  • We include World Mental Health Day and Mental Health Awareness Week in the school calendar and plan activities for the whole school.