At St Cuthbert Mayne, we recognise that children learn best when they feel safe, secure, valued and understood. 

We understand that all children experience challenges at different points in their lives. Changes at home, friendships, bereavement, anxiety, difficulties with learning or managing emotions can all affect a child’s wellbeing and their ability to engage with school.

Our aim is to create a nurturing school environment where children know that there is always someone they can talk to and where seeking help is seen as a positive step.

Supporting wellbeing across our school

Social and emotional development is supported throughout school life. We help children to:

• recognise and talk about their feelings;
• develop positive relationships and friendships;
• build confidence, self-esteem and resilience;
• understand that experiencing different emotions is a normal part of life;
• develop strategies for managing worries, challenges and strong emotions;
• resolve difficulties and disagreements appropriately;
• know when and how to ask for help; and
• develop kindness, empathy and respect for others.

Our Catholic ethos underpins this approach. We want every child to know that they are unique, valued and loved, and that they have an important place within our school community.

Additional support

Sometimes a child may need additional support with their emotional wellbeing. Where concerns arise, staff work closely with the child and their family to consider what support may be helpful.

Support will always be considered according to the individual needs of the child. Where appropriate, we may also work alongside other professionals or services to ensure that children and families receive the right support.

We recognise that behaviour can sometimes be a way in which children communicate an unmet need or difficulty. Our approach therefore seeks to understand what a child may be communicating, while maintaining clear, consistent and appropriate expectations for behaviour.

Working with families

Parents and carers know their children best, and a strong partnership between home and school can make an enormous difference.

If you are concerned about your child's emotional wellbeing, behaviour or mental health, please talk to us. No concern is too small to share. Speaking to your child's class teacher is often a helpful first step, and concerns can then be shared with the appropriate member of staff if further support is needed.

Similarly, if we notice a change in a child's behaviour or wellbeing at school, we will work with parents and carers so that we can understand what may be happening and consider how best to support the child.

 

Resources for Social, Emotional and Mental Health:

Mindworks Surrey, the children and young people's  emotional wellbeing and Mental Health Service have produced Managing Separation Anxiety.