Supporting Mental Health and Wellbeing

At Finmere Primary School, our aim is to care for and develop the whole child educationally, emotionally, spiritually, morally and physically. As well as caring for their education, we also care for their mental health and wellbeing and feel that it is essential to provide children with information to enable them to make life-long, well-informed decisions about their diet and health. 

We aim to promote positive mental health and wellbeing of every member of our school community and recognise how important mental health and wellbeing is to our lives, as is physical health. We recognise that children’s mental health and overall wellbeing can affect their learning and achievement.

A key aspect of our role in school is to ensure that children are able to manage times of change and stress, and that they are supported to reach their potential and to access help when they need it. We also have a role in ensuring that children learn about what they can do to maintain positive mental health, what can affect their mental health, how they can help reduce the stigma surrounding mental health issues, and where they can go if they need help and support. 

Positive wellbeing is promoted through the curriculum and all school activities. Through a carefully planned approach to PSHE our pupils are helped to acquire the knowledge and develop the skills and understanding they need to lead confident, healthy, independent lives, and to become resilient, informed and responsible citizens. We understand the positive impact of physical activity on mental well-being. Our pupils all enjoy 2 hours of PE each week and are encouraged to take part in extra-curricular activities, both within and outside school.

Whole school events are held, including Children's Mental Health Awareness Week in February, and Anti-bullying Week in November. During these events, the focus is on mindfulness and resilience with the purpose of teaching children strategies for dealing with anxiety and copying with changes.  At Finmere School we have access to the schools Mental Health Team if further support is needed. 

We monitor the well-being of our pupil-premium and vulnerable children and, due to the small size of our school, staff get to know parents and children well. 

At Finmere, we recognise the expertise and support that is available within the community and ensure that our children, families and staff can benefit, including support from See Saw and LCSS. 

Click on the links to access support and advice: Standing in the Gap and Mind