Wellbeing
Wellbeing at Bushey Heath Primary
Bushey Heath Primary school offers a vibrant, nurturing environment that inspires children to realise their potential. We recognise that children’s mental health is an important factor in their overall wellbeing and has an impact on their learning, attainment and achievements.
We strive to create an environment where children, and their families, and our staff feel that they belong and are valued. Our culture is one of inclusivity, respect for all, and we celebrate diversity.
How we teach wellbeing
The PSCHE curriculum at Bushey Heath Primary has been carefully developed to deliver high-quality social, emotional and mental health education. Our excellent PSCHE provision is centered on ensuring our students feel confident, are resilient and independent and are able to thrive in the wider world. We regularly review this curriculum.
At Bushey Heath Primary School we have a school-wide ethos of “Healthy Body Healthy Mind”. Our children are explicitly taught the connection that healthy habits can have with their sense of wellbeing. ‘Healthy Body, Healthy Mind’ is embedded in various ways across the school
- Assemblies
- Through our PE provision
- All of our students are provided with pedometers to encourage them to be active - they love them!
- Throughout the school day, children are encouraged and trusted to take active breaks to help them re-adjust their focus... you will regularly find students running around the race track, skipping or walking to support their wellbeing and ability to learn.
- Our ‘Seed to Plate’ project helps children understand the importance of fresh, locally grown produce for their sense of health and wellbeing - they get opportunities to grow herbs and grapes in our garden, tend the chickens and collect their eggs - and then they are able to cook at school with these ingredients.
Support beyond the curriculum
We have a fantastic dedicated wellbeing team at Bushey Heath Primary School, which is made up of our SENCO, Headteacher and our pupil and staff advocate, Mrs Griffiths. They are responsible for planning and delivering provision across the school. We take a sensitive and individualized approach to supporting children who are identified (either by their teacher or by their parent / carer) as needing additional support with their emotional wellbeing and behaviour. We deeply value partnership and communication with parents and carers in this process. The types of support we can offer through the wellbeing team include 1:1 nurture sessions with a trained wellbeing support staff member; time with our therapy dog Dolly; weekly completion of an ‘emotional bottle exercise’ (creative visualization activity) so we can monitor how the child is feeling; facilitated therapeutic creative activities.
If you would like to talk to our wellbeing team, please contact admin@busheyheathjm.herts.sch.uk to arrange a confidential and non-judgemental chat.
Personal, Social, Citizenship and Health Education Curriculum
Helpful links and organisations
With Youth
With Youth is a service delivered by the charity Hertfordshire Mind Network, that supports young people with their mental health. They have different ways that children can engage, and they also offer support for parents and carers who may want to talk to someone about their child’s emotional wellbeing.
Website: https://www.withyouth.org/
Kooth
Kooth is a free online counseling service for children aged 10+. It is a chance for children and young people to talk to a trained counselor anonymously about any concerns they have.
Website: https://www.kooth.com/
NHS
The NHS website has some helpful resources and advice for children and young people’s mental health.
Website: https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/children-and-young-adults/
Young Minds
They provide mental health support for young people, parents and professionals working with young people. They also provide training and resources. They provide a Parents Helpline and Webchat.
Website: https://www.youngminds.org.uk/
Just Talk
Young people’s emotional wellbeing information and signposting to help in Hertfordshire. They have lots of helpful information and advice for parents.
Website: https://www.justtalkherts.org/parents/advice-for-parents.aspx
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS)
Step2 is an early intervention CAMHS service working with mild to moderate mental health difficulties in children aged 5+. Step2 will accept self-referrals via Hertfordshire’s SPA (Single Point of Access). Please email referrals to Single Point of Access (SPA) hpft.spa@nhs.net or call SPA on 0300 777 0707.
Mental Health Crisis Lines:
NHS
24-7 urgent mental health support for any Hertfordshire resident that needs mental health support or is experiencing a mental health emergency. Call free on 0800 6444 101
Samaritans
Call them any time, day or night. Call 116123
Website: https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/
