Mental Health and Wellbeing

Welcome to our new Mental Health and Wellbeing (MHWB) page. We consider the emotional health and wellbeing of our children, staff and parents to be of paramount importance. As a result, we have set up an area dedicated entirely to this worthwhile cause.
On this page you will find links and information covering a wide range of MHWB topics and we hope you find them to be useful.
Below is our vision and strategy for Mental Health and Wellbeing in school:
Our Vision
To create a culture where emotional wellbeing and mental health for the whole school community is normalised, prioritised and valued.
Our Strategy
The school ethos and key values promote respect and celebrate diversity and it is essential that we ‘value the cultural, moral, spiritual, and social diversity of the whole school community.’
In order to successfully uphold our values and place MHWB at the heart of everything we do, we will:
- Ensure MHWB is effectively taught across the school so children can successfully navigate their emotions and have the tools to be resilient, especially through times of challenge and change.
- Make PSHE an established and essential part of the curriculum. From September 2020 PSHE will be a compulsory part of the curriculum. We will ensure that the key messages are also reinforced through assemblies, homework and on the school website.
- Ensure a culture of acceptance around mental health so pupils and parents have the space and confidence to freely discuss problems, concerns, queries and worries.
- Ensure clear and consistent avenues and protocols so that issues arising regarding MHWB are dealt with quickly and effectively.
- Ensure staff are adequately trained to the level where they feel confident identifying pupil needs and initiating early intervention strategies.
Staff wellbeing is fundamental to the successful running of the school. It is imperative staffing needs are considered, listened to and made a priority. We need to ensure that:
- Staff feel appreciated, respected and valued.
- Staff feel they have the tools and resilience to deal with stressful situations and times.
- The school culture surrounding mental health is one of acceptance so that staff feel they have avenues of support when they are in need of help through peer support, SLT support and counselling programmes, if required.
- Staff have a clear framework of support in place when dealing with difficult situations involving pupils.
- The work life balance is a priority and that pressures placed on staff are continually monitored, evaluated and minimalised.
- There are spaces within the school for staff to talk and take ‘protected’ breaks (away from duties and looking after pupils) in a comfortable environment.
Useful Links and Resources
There are a number of really helpful websites which you can access covering a range of issues.
- YoungMinds – This website offers advice for you to help your children and a free telephone service. Call the Parents Helpline: 0808 802 5544 (Monday to Friday 9.30am – 4pm, free for mobiles and landlines)
https://youngminds.org.uk/resources/
- Mind – This is a charity which offers advice and support, especially around the ‘5 ways to wellbeing.’
- The Samaritans offers confidential support for people with feelings of distress.
- Birth Injury Justice Center has compiled the most in-depth resources nationwide to help guide and assist families with disabilities caused by physical birth injuries.
https://www.childbirthinjuries.com/
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to talk to us about it.
The Mental Health and Wellbeing Team
Castleview Charter
Slough Council: Guide for Parents
Active Movement
Please click on below links for some ideas for how to keep the whole family active whilst at home during the school closure:
Active Home Life for Early Years
Resources from SSSN and NHS during Lockdown
#Coping - Guide to Family Life During Lockdown