Evidence tells us that good mental health is essential for children to learn and achieve. By providing opportunities for children, and the adults surrounding them, to develop the strengths and coping skills that underpin resilience schools can help their pupils (and staff) flourish and succeed.
A whole-school approach means making child, staff and parent/carer mental health and wellbeing ‘everybody’s business’. It involves all parts of the school working together and being committed. It needs partnership working between governors, senior leaders, teachers and all school staff as well as parents, carers and the wider community.
It is essential that children within our school are involved and given the opportunity for their voices to be heard. Allowing their input and views gives them the chance to share their experiences. We aim to do this through our wellbeing champions, giving them time to meet and discuss how to continue to raise mental health awareness, this can be done in assemblies and class time. Our wellbeing champions will take on the responsibility of the termly newsletter and will also be involved in organising extra –curricular activities for our children.
At Alvechurch School we are committed and passionate about raising awareness of mental illness and will continue to build on our knowledge and resources to ensure a mentally healthy school
Here is a copy of our school Mental Health and Well being Policy along with additional relevant resources;
Alvechurch CofE Middle School ~ Mental Health Policy
Understanding young peoples mental health
Helpful resources for young peoples mental health
Tips for talking with young people
MHWB ~ A whole organisation framework