Welcome to our Mental Health and Wellbeing page
Lockwood Primary School is a happy place to learn. Our school ethos and values are based around this motto - we want our pupils to be 'happy they are learning' but also to 'learning how to be happy'. It is this second aim that means we have to have a clear, established and effective programme of teaching around mental health and wellbeing. Children are growing up into a very different world from that which their parents and carers did. New technology, while empowering and essential in modern life, can negatively impact on people's mental health and wellbeing. We live in world of mass communication, photos and videos recording our every move and news - both real and fake - flashed instantly across our screens. We want our children to develop the knowledge and skills to take responsibility for their own mental health and to realise the role they play in being a positive influence in the mental health of others. You can read more on our school's ethos and values here.
What is Mental Health and Wellbeing?
Mental Health refers to your emotional, psychological and social wellbeing. Your mental health can change on a daily basis and over time, and can be affected by a range of factors. It's important to look after your mental health, as you would look after your physical health.
Our Mental Health Curriculum
Our Mental Health and Wellbeing Curriculum is based on the Kapow Scheme of Work and further supported through our network of links with organisation such as the NHS and local mental health charities. Wellbeing lessons are based on five strands inspired by the NHS’s 5 Steps to Mental Wellbeing, adapted specifically for primary-age children. The five strands cover essential aspects of mental and physical wellbeing:
- Discover: Learning new skills to build resilience
- Take notice: Practising mindfulness and awareness
- Connect: Strengthening social connections
- Give: Exploring how generosity supports personal wellbeing
- Move: Understanding the mental health benefits of physical activity
Each strand is revisited at an age-appropriate level through a spiral curriculum (where topics are revisited and built upon each year), ensuring consistent progression year after year. There is one lesson per strand per year group. For more information about how the Wellbeing curriculum is organised please click the links below:
Headstarters- Mental Health Champions
As part of the Headstart Project, organised by the South Tees NHS Trust, our Year 5 children have been trained as Headstarter Mental Health Champions and have achieved the bronze and silver awards. Our Year 6 pupils have recently also achieved their Gold award following successful training of our future champions! Supporting our Headstart mission, we also have a Headstart Hub drop in on a lunchtime and an popular Wellbeing session at our after school club. Our Active Play Leaders are out every lunchtime supporting children in their play as they lead a range of sports and traditional playtime games. Indeed, mental health is valued greatly by our whole school family and we relish the opportunity to celebrate mental wellbeing and resilience through events such as World Mental Health Day.
Outside Agencies
At Lockwood Primary we work closely with outside agencies, including 'Getting Help' support through The Link to ensure the very best provision for our children and their families as needed. Our comprehensive PSHE, behaviour and wellbeing curriculum is aimed at building mental strength and resilience in preparation for life in the wider world.
Scroll down this page to find links and information regarding mental health support services and advice. For further information about our PSHE curriculum, click here.
