Here at Wheatfields Infants' and Nursery School, we value the health and wellbeing of all our whole school community so are excited to announce that we signed up  for the Wellbeing Award for Schools, administered by Award Place, in partnership with the National Children’s Bureau.

We signed up to this award to further develop our work to promote positive wellbeing and mental health for the whole school community and gain accreditation for the work we have already done. It also ties in with our school strategy to help our students become caring, active citizens and achieve excellence.

In November 2019, we originally achieved the Wellbeing Award Status. This award lasted for three years and we were delighted to be re-accreditated this year.

About the Award

There are eight objectives to achieve within the Well-being Award Framework, containing several Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) set out within each. The award focuses on ensuring effective practice and provision is in place that promotes the emotional well-being and mental health of both staff and pupils. The award will enable us to develop these practices where necessary and help us to ensure that well-being is embedded in the long-term culture of our school. It will help us to create an ethos where mental health is regarded as the responsibility of all.

With this award, we will demonstrate our commitment to:

• Promoting mental health as part of every day school life

• Improving the emotional well-being of our staff and pupils

• Ensuring mental health problems are identified early and appropriate support provided

• Offering provision and interventions that matches the needs of our pupils and staff

• Promoting the importance of mental health awareness

• Capturing the views of parents, pupils and teachers on mental health issues

Our Wellbeing Champions

At Wheatfields Infants’ and Nursery School, we recognise the importance of positive mental health and wellbeing for our pupils for successful learning, achievement and play. We believe it is important for our children to have a voice, be able to contribute ideas and influence how to improve the wellbeing of their peers across the school.

We have appointed Wellbeing Champions from Year 2 who will work closely with Mrs Chalk, Mrs Norman, Mrs Evans and Rebecca Goff to help drive forward positive change and support for the whole school community.

By:

● Being a positive role model and promoting a healthy lifestyle, especially the importance of exercise and a balanced diet.

● Encouraging children to consider whether they can sort out a problem themselves, or if they need to talk to an adult they trust if they need help.

● Promoting our Anti-Bullying policy across the school – to be the eyes and ears for the school and seek further help for children who may be experiencing bullying.

● Supporting children to have fun and healthy play in the playground – helping with games and activities to encourage inclusion and positive interaction.

Mental Health Support Teams in Schools

There is a range of wellbeing support available in school. This ranges from reasonable adjustments to the classroom provision to support from the NHS Mental Health Support Team. 

Following a referral to the NHS Mental Health Support Team, children and families can access a child-led intervention as part of a small group or a 1:1 parent/carer-led intervention both of which take place in school within school hours.

A range of workshops with a variety of themes will take place throughout the academic year. These are open to all parents and carers. 

Please contact a member of our wellbeing team if you would like more information on any of the above. 

Educational Psychology Service

The ISL Educational Psychology Service helps schools, settings and families to understand and manage a wide range of developmental issues and special educational needs. They use psychological based approaches to assess and intervene to enhance the learning, emotional health and wellbeing of children and young people aged 0-25 years.

The contact line service for parents is open every Wednesday from 2pm until 4.30pm for parents and carers to speak directly with an Educational Psychologist on 01992 588574.

Tel: 01992 588574

Physical Health Links and Advice 

Mental Wellbeing Support Links 

Healthy Eating 

Individualised Support 

‘Inclusion is a sense of belonging: feeling respected, valued for who you are; feeling a level of supported energy and commitment from others so that you can do your best work.’

(Miller and Katz 2002).

Wheatfields Infants’ and Nursery School is committed to providing an inclusive learning environment for all children. Our aim is that all members of our school community feel safe and secure in school. 'Care' sits at the top of our core values and is at the heart of all we do. We prioritise the wellbeing of children, staff, parents and carers. 

In order to support our children in school, a range of support is available and is designed to help children overcome barriers to their learning and enable all children to achieve by providing an opportunity for social and emotional learning in a safe and nurturing environment.

Individualised support is intended to support children with a range of different needs; such as - helping a child to want to come to school, easing the transition from home to school, finding ways to overcome anxiety and be more relaxed, building healthy/confident relationships with adults and children, developing confident speaking and listening skills, learning good social and emotional skills and building emotional resilience and self-confidence.

Individualised support may include in agreement with the class teacher and SENDCo.:

• Timetabled slot with Mr Evans and Koby
• Weekly play therapy with Stacy Holland (Behaviour Support Worker from Vista) 
• Family Support from Chris Engstrom (Vista)

Please contact our a member of our wellbeing team - Mrs Chalk, Miss Cockburn or Mrs Norman if you would like more information or feel that your child would benefit from wellbeing support in school.