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Senior Mental Health Lead: Angharad Nash - sendco@wlfs-primary.org

At West London Free School Primary, we believe in promoting positive mental health and emotional wellbeing in pupils, staff and parents to provide an environment that enables outstanding teaching and learning. Everyone will go through ups and downs during their school career and some face significant life events, so we aim to provide children with the tools to manage these changes in a positive manner.

Mental Health “is a state of wellbeing 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 his or her community”

At our school, we develop these skills through teaching the curriculum, alongside out PSHE curriculum.

“Based firmly in neuroscience, MindUp teaches the skills and knowledge children need to regulate their stress and emotion, form positive relationships, and act with kindness and compassion.” Goldie Hawn – Founder of MindUp 

Following the MindUp curriculum, we have 3 whole-class brain breaks throughout the day to allow children to ‘reset’ their focus and become more in tune with their bodies. The children look forward to these as a tool to build positive mindfulness. Staff also take part in these to model to children the importance of incorporating mindful moments into the day.

Our children celebrate their Acts of Kindness through the daily Kindness Heart in the classes to develop their understanding of the positive impact this can have on both their own and others emotional wellbeing. Each day the children nominate someone that has shown an act of kindness at school and their name is displayed in the Kindness Heart. Children are encouraged to show their kindness in many different ways.

Other things we do to support our mental health and wellbeing:

• Weekly Thought of the Week
• Weekly Yoga Pose
• Daily Mile

Common events that may impact your child’s emotional wellbeing:

• Loss or bereavement
• Issues at school
• Loneliness
• Relationship problems
• Worries about money

Helpful websites for supporting mental health and wellbeing:

Place2Be

Childline

YoungMinds

Mind

Anna Freud

Mental Health Foundation

A few book suggestions to support social and emotional learning at home:

• When I Feel Happy - Dr Sharie Coombes
• When I Feel Sad - Dr Sharie Coombes
• When I Feel Angry - Dr Sharie Coombes
• Big Bright Feelings Books – Tom Percival
• The Paper Dolls - Julia Donaldson (Loss and Bereavement)

Useful documents to help with supporting mental health and wellbeing at home:

• Anna Freud Mental Health Parent Leaflet
• National Literacy Trust - Wellbeing Book List
• A Brief Guide to Mindfulness
• Public Health England - How healthy behaviour supports children’s wellbeing
• Mental health in children and young people with Autism - Parent booklet
• Relaxation Tip for Bedtime
• Sleep and Diet Parent Leaflet
• Anxious Child Booklet for Parents
• Making a Worry Doll Instructions

Local Support for supporting mental health and wellbeing: