At Our Lady’s Catholic Primary School, we are committed to supporting the emotional health and wellbeing of our pupils and staff.

We ASPIRE that through the love of Jesus everyone should “have life and have it to the full”.

We recognise that life can present challenges for children and families, and at times additional support may be needed. We believe that positive mental health is everyone’s responsibility and that we all have a role to play in supporting one another.

Our whole-school ethos underpins everything we do to promote wellbeing and ensure that every child feels safe, valued and supported.

Our Approach

We provide different levels of support to promote a mentally healthy environment:

Universal Support (for all children)

• promoting our school values and a strong sense of belonging
• encouraging pupil voice and opportunities to contribute
• celebrating achievements to build confidence and self-esteem
• providing opportunities for reflection through collective worship
• supporting children to understand and manage their emotions
• ensuring all children have access to a trusted adult
• delivering a high-quality PSHE and RSE curriculum
• building positive relationships between staff and pupils
• Additional Support (when needed)

For children who may need short-term support:

• pastoral support and regular check-ins
• small group support
• support during times of change or difficulty (e.g. bereavement)
• communication with families to provide joined-up support

Targeted Support (specialist support)

For children who require more personalised support:

• individual support plans
• involvement of external professionals
• referrals to appropriate services where needed

Mental Health and Wellbeing in School

We support children by:

• creating a calm, safe and structured environment
• teaching strategies to manage emotions and build resilience
• encouraging children to talk openly about their feelings
• responding quickly to concerns

Working with Parents

We value strong partnerships with parents and carers.

If you have concerns about your child’s wellbeing, you can:

• speak to your child’s class teacher
• contact the school office
• speak to the Headteacher

We will work with you to ensure the right support is in place.

Support in School

We provide a range of support to help children manage their emotions and wellbeing.

ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant)

Our trained ELSA supports children by providing practical strategies to help them understand and manage their emotions.
Please speak to your child’s class teacher if you feel your child may benefit from this support.

Wellbeing Support

We work with external partners to promote emotional wellbeing and provide additional support where needed.
Please speak to the school office or the Headteacher if you would like more information.

Play Therapy

We are able to offer play therapy support for some children. This provides a safe space for children to explore their feelings.
If you would like to discuss this option, please contact the school.

External Support

Where appropriate, we may work with external services to provide additional support for children and families.

We can also help signpost families to appropriate services where needed.

Top Tips to Support Your Child (NHS Guidance)

Be there to listen

Regularly ask your child how they are feeling and create opportunities for open conversations. Knowing there is always someone to listen helps children feel safe and supported.

Support them through difficulties

Pay attention to changes in behaviour or emotions and help your child understand and manage their feelings. Supporting them through challenges builds resilience over time.

Stay involved in their life

Show interest in what matters to your child. This helps build strong relationships and makes it easier to recognise when they may need support.

Encourage their interests

Being active, creative and part of a team helps children build confidence and connect with others. Encourage them to explore their interests and try new things.

Take what they say seriously

Listening without judgement helps children feel valued. Supporting them to talk through their emotions helps them develop healthy coping strategies.

Build positive routines

Consistent routines, healthy eating, regular exercise and good sleep all play an important role in supporting children’s wellbeing.

Useful Resources

Ollee

Ollee is a digital support tool designed to help children reflect on their feelings and develop coping strategies in a safe and engaging way.

Supporting Our Families

If you have any concerns about your child’s mental health or wellbeing, please contact the school office or speak to the Headteacher. We are here to support you.