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Mental Health and Wellbeing
At Middlestown Primary Academy, we aim to promote positive mental health and wellbeing for our whole school community (children, staff and parents) and recognise how important mental health and emotional wellbeing is to our lives in just the same way as physical health.
We are very proud to say that we have 6 Mental Health First Aiders trained on school site. All Mental Health First Aiders are a point of contact for any children or adults in school who are experiencing any mental health issues or have any worries or concerns in school. They have the skills and confidence to spot the signs of mental health issues, offer first aid and guide them towards the support that they need.
We are also proud to say that we have a named Governor, Sian Pearson, for the mental health and wellbeing of both children and staff.
We have a wellbeing board in school which pupils can refer to for guidance and we hold a ‘Wednesday Club’ where children can discuss any worries and anxieties they have. Alongside this, there is a locked ‘worry box’ in the library where pupils can post their concerns. The learning mentor checks this box regularly and speaks to all children who have posted worries.
We also promote a healthy lifestyle and a healthy diet through our school dinners, healthy lunch box policy, daily miles and active PE sessions.
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Mental Health and Wellbeing Policy
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Mental Health and Wellbeing Newsletters
Below are the Middlestown Primary Academy’s Mental Health and Wellbeing newsletters. One is a half termly newsletter which aims to support parents and children with their mental health and wellbeing by providing ideas and helpful websites to support them. Any other additional newsletters relating to Mental Health and Wellbeing can be found below as well.
Mental Health and Wellbeing Champions
4 children in were Year 6 selected and trained as Mental Health and Wellbeing Champions. They understand the importance of their role in school and offer support and reassurance to any child that may need it.
They made a pledge about their role in school:
- We will be available to help and to listen
- We will offer support and information about how to look after your mental health and wellbeing
- We will be there to listen to your thoughts and ideas
- We will spread positivity
In the Autumn term, Year 5 took part in a Wellbeing Workshop led by members of Wakefield Council. 4 more ambassadors from Year 5 will be joining the Wellbeing team soon!
Wellbeing Homework
In Autumn 1, the children were set a challenge to create Autumn art using nature!
Wellbeing Poster Competition
Children were asked to design a poster all about mental health and wellbeing. This could incorporate any ideas they had and what they thought of when they heard these terms. There were some fantastic entries and the winning ones were entered by Oliver (UF) and Zara (Y6). These posters are now displayed on the Mental Health Awareness board in school for everyone to see!
A Problem Shared
A book that we have used in PSHE lessons in school is ‘A Problem Shared’, written by a parent of 2 children at Middlestown Primary Academy. It is an excellent book that discusses the benefits of sharing problems and their feelings. If you would like to purchase a copy, you can here.
After sharing the story with the whole school, three children (Amber, Orla and Lauren) wrote a review of the book:
Mental Health Awareness Days
Photos and information coming soon…
School Mental Health Award
We are delighted to share that following verification, Middlestown Primary Academy has been awarded the Carnegie Centre of Excellence for Mental Health in Schools ‘School Mental Health Award’ – Bronze Status for 2022-25.
Virtual Parent/Carer Information Sessions
Learn more about how you can support your child’s wellbeing and mental health through childhood, the teenage years and beyond.
For more information on how to make a booking, please contact the academy.
Useful links
Every Mind Matters
https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/
A public health England and NHS site to help people take simple steps to look after their mental health, improve their mental wellbeing and support others.
Mentally Healthy Schools
https://www.mentallyhealthyschools.org.uk/
Quality-assured information, advice and resources to help primary schools understand and promote children’s mental health and wellbeing.
Action for Children
https://parents.actionforchildren.org.uk/chat/
Free and confidential live chat (various times, morning to evening) with a parenting coach to offer information, advice and guidance regarding family life, caring for children or managing parental wellbeing.
Family Action
https://www.family-action.org.uk/what-we-do/children-families/familyline/
Emotional support and parental guidance to address complex family pressures and issues via telephone, text, web chat or email. Long term and short term support available 9am to 9pm Monday to Friday.
Wakefield Adult Education parenting groups
Classroom/small group based parenting support from Early Years to Teenagers.
Night Owls
A new West Yorkshire based overnight listening service for children, young people, and their parents/carers experiencing mental health; call, text or chat.
SCOPE Navigate – emotional support for parents
www.scope.org.uk/family-services/navigate/
National mentoring service providing 6 weekly sessions of online/virtual emotional support for parents/carers of children with additional needs who are on the pathway to diagnosis or have received one in the last year. (Current 14 week wait for allocation of a mentor however initial contact is made within 2 days and screened).
Live Well Wakefield
Offers support for people aged 18+ years who are facing non-clinical challenges such as; bereavement, aids & adaptations, education, assistive technology, mobility, social isolation, lifestyle advice, loneliness, long term conditions, home support, personal safety, mental health, housing finances and employment advocacy services.
WF I Can
Wakefield online chat and useful information for young people up to the age of 25 years.
KOOTH
12pm-10pm Monday-Friday, 6pm-10pm weekends. Online support and webchat for young people in Wakefield.
Wakey Wellness
Wakey Wellness is an innovative app which provides a virtual ‘one-stop-shop’ for children, young people and families in Wakefield who would like information and support with emotional health and wellbeing issues.
The free app can be downloaded from Google Play and the App Store.
