At Normanton Junior Academy, we prioritise a whole school approach to mental health and well-being – we are a mentally healthy school. We recognise that the mental health and emotional well-being of children, staff, parents and carers and governors is fundamental and our approach is the ‘golden thread’ that underpins our culture and daily life in school. We are continually striving for excellence and we believe that this can only be achieved if our children, staff and parents (the entire school community) are happy, healthy and safe.
A whole-school approach is about developing a positive ethos and culture – where everyone feels that they belong. It involves working with families and making sure that the whole school community is welcoming, inclusive and respectful. It means maximising children’s learning through promoting good mental health and wellbeing across the school – through the curriculum, early support for pupils, staff-pupil relationships, leadership and a commitment from everybody. (Mentally Healthy Schools)
Aims
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Create a physical and emotionally safe environment where all children and staff have a sense of belonging and feel safe
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Promote positive mental health and well-being in all children, staff and parents/carers – our entire school community is as important as one another. If our parents aren’t happy and healthy, our children aren’t happy. If staff wellbeing isn’t a priority then the children’s wellbeing won’t be a priority. All are key!
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Empower all children, staff and families to develop their own personal well-being and resilience strategies
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Increase awareness and openness around mental health, mental wellbeing and mental illness
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Embed effective systems and practices to identify early need and provide early intervention
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Have established systems for understanding how and when to refer to specialist support
Whole School Approach
Our whole school approach is built upon the eight principles from Public Health England’s ‘Promoting children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing: A whole school or college approach’
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Leadership and Management that supports and champions efforts to promote emotional health and well-being
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An ethos and environment that promotes respect and values diversity
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Curriculum, teaching and learning to promote resilience and support social and emotional learning
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Staff development to support their own well-being and that of students
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Enabling student voice to influence decisions
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Identifying need and monitoring impact of interventions
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Working with parents and carers
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Targeted support and appropriate referral
Roles and Responsibilities
It is the responsibility of all staff to promote positive mental health and well-being and understand the risk and protective factors for themselves and our children. All staff are responsible for identifying early need.
Key members of staff have specific roles:
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Headteacher (Designated Safeguarding Lead/Mental Health Lead)
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Deputy Headteacher (Designated Safeguarding Lead)
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SENCO
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Pastoral Support Officer (Also Designated Safeguarding Lead)
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Learning Mentor (Also Designated Safeguarding Lead)
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Our Governing Body also supports the strategic direction of this approach alongside the Headteacher.
