Contact

Mary Heal is the Designated Mental Health Lead at Winslow Church of England School and can be contacted via the School Office: 01296 712296 or by email: office@winslow.bucks.sch.uk

Winslow Church of England School’s ethos and staff actively promote emotional wellbeing; we recognise that happier pupils are more successful learners and responsible individuals. We also recognise the responsibility that education has in the development and enhancement of emotional wellbeing.

Our Aim

• For wellbeing to be at the heart of everything we do and where positive mental health is promoted and valued
• To create an environment where our children feel able to talk openly about their problems with trusted adults, without feeling any stigma
• To ensure that children are able to manage times of change and stress and to support children to be able to recognise their emotions and to offer them a range of strategies for self-regulation

Supporting Children

We have a holistic approach where the school environment supports wellbeing through:

• Zones of Regulation is used across the school to help children to recognise and self-regulate their emotions (see attachment below)
•  Nurture Nooks in classrooms, a Nurture room for wellbeing interventions, a Sensory Garden.
• Opportunities for children to talk about their experiences and feelings
• A dedicated Mental Health Team who offer a range of targeted support to vulnerable pupils

Stormbreak

When the storm rages we teach children to find shelter and create light, calm and change through movement. What if we could inspire mentally healthy movement to help children become happier, healthier humans, forever?

We believe we can and use Stormbreaks to improve children's mental health through movement; helping them to learn skills and strategies to use when facing challenges and difficulties.  Stormbreak CIO is a registered charity in England & Wales

We aim to fit in 3 Stormbreaks during the school week for all children across the school.  During a Stormbreak session, children are encouraged to take part in a group or individual activity either within or outside the classroom.  The activity will be linked to one of the five core concepts of mental health: 

• Resilience
• Relationships                                                            
• Self-care
• Hope and Optimism
• Self-worth

During each activity, children are taught, in a child-friendly, age-appropriate way,  what the concept means and learn different ways in which they can support themselves to be mentally healthy in that area. By talking about these mental health concepts regularly, it helps to reduce the stigma about mental health.  

All children are encouraged to take part, with any engagement celebrated, ensuring activities are accessible to all.  

Click here to watch the Stormbreak introduction video.

Working with Parents and Carers

Our School’s Mental Health and Wellbeing Team are always on hand to support families. We operate an ‘open door’ policy and there is always someone available to talk and offer the help that is needed, whether that be from school staff or by helping parents to access the appropriate professional organisation, such as the Buckinghamshire Mental Health Team or Young Carers.

Please download our Winslow Church of England School MHWB Policy for further information.

SSS Learning also provide two helpful guides:

Child Mental Health & Wellbeing - top tips

Parents Mental Health & Wellbeing - top tips