We recognise that ensuring the wellbeing of our children is crucial for their academic success and personal growth.
Across all of our schools, staff understand that by supporting pupils’ mental health, we are investing in their long-term happiness and equipping them with the skills they need to face life’s challenges.
All of our schools have a multitude of strategies in place to support our pupils’ mental health and well-being. Some of them organised extra activities on Tuesday 10th October to join in with and support World Mental Health Day.
Pupils at Bedmond Academy celebrated World Mental Health Day with a special assembly. They talked about positivity and wrote inspirational and positive messages to one another. Across the school, they spent time exploring feelings and working together to make displays of their work.
During the World Mental Health Day assembly at Bovingdon Primary Academy, they focused on choosing kindness towards everyone and ‘My Voice Matters’. When children feel their voice is heard, their mental health and wellbeing can improve. Each class also spent time reflecting on ways to express themselves and on how to help others.
This half term, pupils at Broadfield Academy have been learning about the Zones of Regulation. Staff recognise that there can be a huge impact on a child’s daily life when they struggle with regulating their emotions. The Zones of Regulation teach them how to recognise and regulate their emotions day to day. Lessons have focused on developing emotional understanding and using a common language for expressing feelings.
At Hammond Academy, there are two members of staff who work with individual learners and small groups on emotional support and wellbeing. The school also works with an organisation called The Happy Human Project that supports groups and whole classes on relaxation, mindfulness and understanding emotions.
Key Stage 2 pupils at Knutsford Primary Academy use their ‘Thoughts Book’ to write about worries or something that’s on their mind. They give the book to their teacher or another trusted adult to indicate that they would like some time to chat about their worries. Kayla, a therapy dog, also visits the school each week to support individual pupils.
The Grove Academy hosted a Mental Health Day assembly. They encouraged their children to think of two school adults, two home adults and a friend that they could speak to if they were ever worried about anything. They then thought of five things they could do to be kind this week and beyond.
Across Aspire Academies Trust, we encourage our parents and carers to engage in discussions about mental health with their children. By fostering an open dialogue at home, you can further support a child’s emotional well-being and help break down any barriers or misconceptions they may have.
You can find some good advice and support at ITV’s Britain Get Talking campaign here.