Mental Heath and Wellbeing

Our Vision for Mental Health and Wellbeing

At St. John with St. Michael’s CE Primary School, we are committed to nurturing the mental health and wellbeing of every child. Guided by our Christian values of love, compassion and respect, we strive to create a safe, supportive and inclusive environment where all pupils feel valued, listened to and able to flourish.

We believe that positive mental health is fundamental to children’s learning, relationships and overall development.

Why Mental Health and Wellbeing Matter

Children’s emotional wellbeing underpins their ability to learn, build relationships and cope with life’s challenges. By prioritising mental health and wellbeing, we support pupils to develop resilience, self-awareness and confidence, enabling them to thrive both in and beyond school.

Through our wellbeing provision, pupils learn to:

• Recognise and understand their emotions

• Develop healthy coping strategies

• Build positive relationships

• Manage challenges and change

• Know when and how to seek help

A Whole-School Approach

Mental health and wellbeing are embedded throughout school life and are not limited to discrete lessons. Our approach is proactive, preventative and responsive, ensuring pupils are supported emotionally as well as academically.

This whole-school approach includes:

• PSHE and RSE lessons

• Collective worship and reflection

• Positive behaviour and relationships

• Staff modelling of emotional literacy

• Close partnerships with families and external professionals

Specialist Support: Purely Wellbeing

We work closely with Purely Wellbeing, who provide half-termly visits to support pupils’ emotional and mental health needs. These visits may include:

• Targeted support for individuals or small groups

• Emotional wellbeing check-ins

• Advice and guidance for staff

• Early intervention to support emerging needs

This partnership strengthens our capacity to identify concerns early and ensure pupils receive timely and appropriate support.

Daily Mindfulness: Mindful Me

To support emotional regulation and calm, we use Mindful Me daily across school. These short, age-appropriate mindfulness activities help pupils to:

• Pause and reflect

• Regulate emotions

• Develop focus and concentration

• Build self-awareness and calmness

Daily mindfulness supports pupils to start learning sessions in a settled, positive frame of mind.

What Pupils Learn

Our mental health and wellbeing provision is progressive and age-appropriate.

In EYFS, children:

• Learn to recognise and talk about feelings

• Develop routines that support emotional security

• Build confidence and independence

In Key Stage 1, pupils:

• Learn strategies to manage feelings

• Develop positive friendships

• Begin to understand the importance of self-care

In Key Stage 2, pupils:

• Explore emotional wellbeing and resilience

• Learn strategies for managing worry, stress and change

• Develop empathy, self-reflection and responsibility

• Understand how and where to seek support

Supporting Pupils and Families

We work in partnership with parents and carers to support children’s wellbeing. Where needed, we offer:

• Pastoral support within school

• Signposting to external agencies

• Regular communication and collaborative planning

Mental Health and Wellbeing in Our School Community

At St. John with St. Michael’s, mental health and wellbeing are everyone’s responsibility. By fostering a culture of openness, care and understanding, we help pupils to develop the emotional tools they need for life. Our aim is for every child to feel safe, supported and confident to be themselves.