The HUB – Helping Us Belong
As a school, we take mental health and wellbeing very seriously and we are leading the way in highlighting this area. Wellbeing and mental health in our pupils, staff and parents are at the forefront of our school’s vision and we are committed to supporting the emotional health and wellbeing of our community.
There is mounting research that suggests that a person’s mental wellness has a significant impact on their ability to learn, enjoy life experiences and form positive relationships. The Department of Education (DFE) recognises that “in order to help their children succeed; schools have a role to play in supporting them to be resilient and mentally healthy.” Schools can be a place for children to experience a nurturing and supportive environment that has the potential to develop self-esteem and give positive experiences for overcoming adversity and building resilience. We know that everyone experiences life challenges that can make us vulnerable and at times, anyone may need additional emotional support. For this reason, Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) provision is weaved throughout the school curriculum and daily experiences.
We also have a specialist Wellbeing Team with our very own wellbeing room called the HUB.
Hub stands for:
Helping
Us
Belong
This is a space where children can come for some reflection time or a moment of calm on a busy day. It is also an area where individual or small group work can take place with our experienced wellbeing team, or from external agencies.
The HUB is about keeping our children safe and supported.
The HUB helps us to ensure that all of our children are able to manage times of change and stress, and that they are supported by a specialist team to ensure they reach their potential and have access to help when they need it.
At our school we:
- help children to understand their emotions and feelings better
- help children feel comfortable sharing any concerns or worries
- help children socially to form and maintain relationships
- promote self-esteem and ensure children know that they count
- encourage children to be confident and ‘dare to be different’
- help children to develop emotional resilience and to manage setbacks
We offer different levels of support:
Universal Support – To meet the needs of all our pupils through our overall ethos and our wider curriculum. For instance, developing resilience for all. Our daily restorative practice supports the children with this.
Additional support – For those who may have short-term needs and those who may have been made vulnerable by life experiences such as bereavement. Children work in the Hub with a member of the wellbeing team on an emotional wellbeing intervention. Please see the wellbeing intervention overview below.
Targeted support – For pupils who need more differentiated support and resources or specific targeted interventions such as wellbeing groups or personal mentors or from an external agency.
For more information about interventions, click here: Emotional Well Being Interventions Overview
We all have times when we have low Mental Wellbeing, where we feel stressed, upset or find it difficult to cope.
There are some common life events that may affect you or your child’s Mental Wellbeing:
- Loss or bereavement.
- Loneliness
- Relationship problems.
- Issues at school.
- Worries about money
Everyone deserves to feel good and there are steps you or your child can take to maintain and improve your Mental Wellbeing:
- Build positive relationships.
- Take time for yourself.
- Look after your mental health.
- Look after your physical health.
What can your child can do in school to gain Mental Wellbeing?
- Be open and talk about your feelings with your friends.
- Associate yourself with positive people.
- Join an afterschool club.
- Speak to a member of staff.
- Tell the Safeguarding and Wellbeing Team.
- Get physically active (a Health body and mind are closely linked).
