Mental Health and Wellbeing at Thurgoland C of E Primary School

At Thurgoland, our vision is for every child to be happy, safe, and confident. We aim to help children develop their Best Self through a culture that nurtures resilience, emotional literacy and positive relationships. Our curriculum and wellbeing approach focus on helping all children thrive, both academically and personally.

Promoting Positive Wellbeing

Our whole-school approach ensures that all children benefit from strategies that support their mental health and personal development:

• PSHE and RSHE curriculum teaching emotional awareness, self-regulation, and healthy relationships
• Oracy framework to support development of vocabulary and skills to communicate effectively
• Collaborative learning to build confidence, teamwork and resilience
• Collective worship and celebration of diversity to reinforce values, belonging and inclusion
• Emotion coaching, restorative conversations, and peer support to nurture positive interactions
• Carefully planned texts that act as mirrors of the children’s lives and windows into other people’s lives

Understanding and Managing Emotions

Children experience a wide range of emotions every day. Our aim as a school is to support children to:

• Identify and reflect on their emotions
• Develop coping strategies and self-regulation skills
• Build confidence, resilience, and positive relationships
• Seek support when needed

Graduated Support for Individual Needs

While all children receive universal wellbeing support, some may benefit from additional support tailored to their needs. We use a graduated and flexible approach to ensure every child gets the right support at the right time, recognising that wellbeing can be impacted by many factors including home life, friendships, learning and health.

Universal Support:

• High-quality teaching and learning environment
• PSHE and RSHE lessons covering wellbeing and relationships
• Emotion coaching, circle time, and peer support
• Forest School and outdoor activities
• Celebration of achievements and personal development

Universal + / Emerging Need:

• Additional check-ins with a trusted adult
• Small group sessions (emotions, social skills, journaling)
• Targeted workshops, including Compass Be activities
• Collaboration with parents/carers to co-produce strategies and reinforce skills at home

Targeted Support:

• Personalised action plans with SMART targets
• 1:1 or small group interventions (e.g., Lego Therapy, pastoral sessions)
• Coordinated support with external professionals if required
• Regular review of progress with child and parents/carers

Specialist / High Need Support:

• Multi-agency involvement (Compass Be, CAMHS, Social Care)
• Safety planning and intensive 1:1 support
• Continued review and co-production with parents/carers to ensure the child’s wellbeing and safety

Working Together with Parents/Carers

Parents and carers are key partners in supporting their child’s wellbeing.

We encourage:

• Sharing observations and concerns
• Co-producing individual action plans and strategies
• Reinforcing skills and strategies at home
• Celebrating progress and achievements with school staff

Practical Support for Children

• Forest School and outdoor learning activities
• Emotions groups, journaling, and small group support
• PSHE and RSHE lessons covering mental health, relationships, and self-awareness
• Peer mentoring and restorative practices to strengthen friendships and social skills

Books and Activities to Support Wellbeing at Home

Books:

• The Invisible String – Patrice Karst
• What to Do When You Worry Too Much – Dawn Huebner & Bonnie Matthews
• Staving the Anxiety Gremlin – Kate Colling-Donnelly
• Don’t Worry, Be Happy – Poppy O’Neil
• Ahn’s Anger – Gail Silver
• The Colour Monster – Anna Llenas
• When My Worries Get Too Big! – Kari Dunn Buron
• Have You Filled a Bucket Today? – Carol McCloud

Activities:

• Outdoor play, walks, or gardening
• Yoga (Cosmic Kids Yoga for children and families)
• Cooking or baking together
• Reading or watching a film
• Mindfulness colouring
• Listening to relaxing music
• Breathing exercises and guided meditations for children
• Gratitude or emotion journaling
• Family games to promote teamwork and emotional understanding
• Creative arts: drawing, painting or music to express feelings

Who We Work With Outside of School

To support our children’s wellbeing, we work closely with external partners and agencies including:

• Compass Be
• CAMHS
• Educational Psychologists
• Social Care
• Branching Minds
• School Nursing Team

Local Offer and Additional Resources

• Barnsley Local Offer – information on local services and support for children and young people with additional needs
• Open Up Barnsley – community support, activities, and resources for families
• Barnardo’s – Mental health and emotional wellbeing
• YoungMinds – Support for children and young people
• The Sleep Charity

Getting Support from School

If you have concerns or want guidance on supporting your child’s wellbeing, you can contact:

• Class Teacher
• Wellbeing Lead: Mrs Wise
• SENCo: Mrs Roebuck
• Parent Support Advisor (PSA): Mrs Stacey

We will work with you to plan proactive strategies, implement personalised interventions, and involve external professionals if needed, ensuring that your child can thrive and reach their Best Self.