What do we do to promote mental health and wellbeing?

At St Gregory's Catholic Primary School we use a three-tiered approach to mental health and wellbeing. We know that all children benefit from positive mental health and some children need a little extra support.

Other ways we promote Health and Wellbeing in School include:

• a school with caring and dedicated staff
• a school ethos inspired by Gospel Values and the teachings of Jesus, which has children’s social and emotional well-being at the heart of it;

• a  Designated Mental Health Lead, Mrs Thornthwaite;

• a team of trained Youth Mental Health First Aiders;

• all staff trained in Understanding Mental Health

• A specialist, wellbeing room;

• a specially-trained Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA);

• a professional counsellor, who runs one-to-one sessions with specific children; 

• a Trainee Education Mental Health Practitioner who provides low intensity interventions such as guided self help based on cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) as well as supporting initiatives aimed at preventing mental health problems.  

• whole school assembly themes to promote and mental health and wellbeing;

• worry slips available for children to easily request support from a trusted adult;

• circle time sessions in all year groups;

• annual workshop sessions with 'The Education Life Bus'

• marking World Mental Health Day and Mental Health Awareness Week in school;

• a comprehensive range of health and sporting activities across the curriculum and in after-school clubs

• a behaviour system that employs a restorative approach and a reward system (using class dojo) that encourages children to embody our school values to be kind, caring and considerate towards others.