Well-Being and Emotional Health

White Ash Primary School are committed to supporting the emotional health and wellbeing of our children and staff. We know that everyone experiences life challenges that can make us vulnerable and at times, anyone may need additional emotional support. We take the view that positive mental health is everybody’s business and that we all have a role to play.

 In our school we:

• help children to understand their emotions and feelings better                             
• help children feel comfortable sharing any concerns or worries
• help children socially to form and maintain relationships
• promote self-esteem and ensure children know that they count
• encourage children to be confident and ‘dare to be different’
• help children to develop emotional resilience and to manage setback

The Five Ways to Wellbeing:

They help us take care of our mental health and wellbeing. Regularly practising the Five Ways is beneficial for everyone – whether you have a mental health problem or not.

Here at White Ash, through empathetic engagement, a child's emotional state is verbally and visually (Symbols/Makaton) acknowledged and validated. This promotes a sense of security and feeling 'felt'. Based on research by American Psychologist John Gottman, Emotion Coaching uses moments of heightened emotion and resulting behaviours to guide and teach the child and young person about more effective responses. 

There are four stages to Emotion Coaching;

Due to our pupils varying needs, we use a range of visuals to support the language used. We not only name and validate the heightened emotions but all the emotions displayed throughout the day. Each class displays emotions that can be referred to and accessed by the children. 

Promoting whole school wellbeing ideas:

• Wellbeing timetabled into every school day
• Wellbeing Wednesdays throughout the school year for both children and staff.
• Wellbeing Team and Ambassadors
• Wellbeing board outside the dining hall
• Posters around school, with inspirational quotes and positive affirmations.
• Wellbeing Awards and Lucky Leaves
• Emotion Coaching used throughout school.
• Emotions displayed in all classes with Widgit and Makaton. 
• Visuals to support regulation.