At East-the-Water Primary School, we work really hard to support your children with their wellbeing and mental health each day
Our Relationships Education covers the statutory curriculum and is progressive from Year 1 – Year 6. As part of this, children are taught to:
- Recognise their own and others feelings in regards to mental wellbeing
- Develop strategies to support their wellbeing (such as knowing how to deal with worries)
- Have a deeper understanding about empathy and compassion for others
The Curriculum section of our website gives greater detail including the Curriculum Map and Policy.
Day-to-day, we support wellbeing in class through:
- A soft start to the school day so that individuals have time to be welcomed, discuss any worries and settle into the school day
- Having a strong team of teaching assistants that always seem to find time to talk to you when you are worried or upset
- An open door approach from Senior Leaders to support children (rarely is there a day when there are no children around or in their rooms)
- Every classroom has a Chill Skills box to access
- Having a strong pastoral team that run Chill Skill sessions or interventions such as Drawing and Talking
- Having active playtimes with lots of exciting clubs as well as quiet zones for those who prefer them
- Teachers are trained to write social stories to support children with scenarios that they might find difficult (such as falling out with friends or worrying about their spellings)
Chill Skills
Chill Skills is our unique pastoral programme within school. Sessions provide children with the opportunity to talk about how they are feeling and to learn techniques to help them to feel calmer.
Chill Skills sessions introduce the concept of Mindfulness to children and encourage them to be able to identify and label their emotions, gain a better understanding of their brain and the flight/fight/freeze response, along with learning strategies that can help their regulation. Sessions also aim to build self-esteem and confidence and support children to overcome any emotional challenges they may be facing.
Chill Skills sessions are bespoke and tailored to the needs of each child.
Place2Be
- Place2Be is a national charity supporting our school to improve the confidence and wellbeing of children and young people.
- A trained counsellor works individually with children 2 days a week
- The counsellor also offers Place2Talk on Mondays and Tuesdays at lunchtimes. These sessions are open to any child from Year 3-6 who may want to discuss any worries or issues they have, either in and out of school
Online resources for parents and children
Online there are a range of websites that may be of use to you as parents to support either your own or your child’s wellbeing. Please click on the links below if you are interested in finding out more.
Happy Maps – provides support for parents and children around behaviour and mental health.
Stop Breathe Think – provides young people access to free 1-1 counselling from the age of 8.
Relax Kids – supports your children’s mental and emotional health and wellbeing with a range of tools and techniques to help calm their body and mind and build confidence and self-esteem.
Youngminds – provide young people with tools to look after their mental health. Their website is full of advice and information on what to do if you’re struggling with how you feel. They also empower parents and adults who work with young people, to be the best support they can be to the young people in their lives.
Mind – provide advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. They campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding.
Devon Partnerships Talkworks – are a team of qualified psychological wellbeing practitioners and psychological therapists. They have five team bases across Devon where they are able to see people locally in a wide range of settings, including GP surgeries, hospitals, community centres and children centres.
Kooth – provide free, safe and anonymous online support and counselling. The Kooth team are made up of friendly and experienced individuals who want to help you.
NHS – has self help tips, guides, tools and activities to support and improve your mental health. This page discusses mindfulness but scroll back for more general information on mental health.
