At Norton Primary School, we are committed to supporting the Mental Health and wellbeing of our pupils, staff and Governors. To show this we have recently achieved the Mental Health Champion Award and Healthy Schools Award. We know that everyone experiences life challenges that can make us vulnerable and at times, anyone may need additional emotional support. We strive to give all our children, staff and governors experiences and confidence to cope with whatever life may throw at them; building on self-esteem and resilience every day.
We work hard in the hope that all our children are able to be forward thinking and appreciative. Giving the children essential knowledge of mental health will enable them to thrive in a modern Britain. We take the view that positive mental health is everybody’s business and that we all have a role to play, whether that is within our Norton family, national or international community.
At our school we:
help children to understand their emotions and feelings from pre-school upwards
help children feel comfortable sharing any concerns or worries
help children socially to form and maintain relationships
promote self-esteem to ensure children know that they are important and can be the best that they can be
encourage children to be confident and ‘dare to be different’
help children to develop emotional resilience and to manage setbacks
promote the Five Ways to Wellbeing within our curriculum
give them an understanding of mental health
Offer after school clubs such as Marathon Club, Bean Bag Rounder’s, Dance
Staff trained in Mental Health First Aid
Winston Wish trained staff
Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA) available to the children if needed
Visitors into school such as therapy/reading dogs.
Activities offered to selected children such as horse riding and forest schools.
We offer different levels of support:
Universal Support
To meet the needs of all our pupils within Norton through our overall ethos and our wider curriculum. For instance, our PSHE lessons, Physical Education, school trips, PGL in Year 6 and developing resilience on an everyday basis.
Additional support
For those who may have short-term needs within Norton who may have been made vulnerable by life experiences such as bereavement we offer ELSA support and/or Winston Wish staff support.
Targeted support
For pupils who need more differentiated support and resources or specific targeted interventions such as wellbeing groups or personal mentors, horse riding, ELSA support and forest schools.
If you feel you and/or your child need support and advice regarding mental health and well-being please come in to see Mrs Farren or any member of staff.
Lead staff members:
SENCO: Miss Mannings
ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant): Miss Middlecote
PHSE Lead: Miss Middlecote
Equality Lead: Mrs Farren
