At St John’s School, we are committed to supporting the positive mental health and wellbeing of our whole school community and this is fully embedded in our ethos of nurture and our core belief that ' I came that they may have life and have it abundantly' (John 10:10). Our Senco is a trained Senior Mental Health Lead, and our staff are regularly updated on ways to support the children's wellbeing as well as many being trained in delivering specific therapeutic programmes. We hold a Feeling Good Week every year and use the NHS Five Ways to Wellbeing. As a team, we work hard to ensure that our children understand and can articulate their feelings and are able to manage times of change and stress with increasing independence as they grow. Our shared aim is that they are supported to reach their potential and to access timely help as and when they might need it. We also reach out to our families by signposting to local courses and means of support as well as having strong links with supporting outside agencies and making timely referrals if necessary.
If you are concerned about your child's mental health or wellbeing, please do speak to your class teacher as a first point of call, below are some useful places for information and support:
Additional Resources - NESSie IN ED, CIC
NESSie provides easy access to arts therapies, counselling, support and training so that children, young people and their families can thrive. We provide support through partnering with local schools, county councils and community organisations within Hertfordshire and the surrounding counties. Parents can also reach out to us directly.
Children's Wellbeing Practitioners Service | Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust (hct.nhs.uk)
Children’s Wellbeing Practitioners are trained to deliver manualised guided self-help interventions for anxiety, low mood and behavioural difficulties.
Parents and carers | Healthy Young Minds in Herts
Information about emotional wellbeing and the mental health support available to you in Hertfordshire.
Lumi Nova Tales of Courage (7-12 year olds)
This is a new therapeutic gaming App available free in Herts that can help with problems such as mild to moderate fears and anxiety.
www.withyouth.org/lumi-nova