Mental Health and Well-being
As a school, we take mental health and well-being very seriously and we ensure ‘Everyone Matters At The Highway’.
We are currently working towards a Well-being award, which will demonstrate how well-being and mental health in our pupils, staff and parents are at the forefront of our school’s vision of leading a mentally healthy school.
We are committed to supporting the emotional health and well-being of our pupils 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.
Here are definitions of well-being and mental health:
Well-being
Well-being is about our thoughts, feelings, emotions and ability to react to life. A good sense of well-being is feeling ok and able to cope, even when life or situations are challenging.
Sometimes our well-being is affected by things out of our control: illness, a stressful family situation or crisis. When our well-being is affected and we don’t feel able to cope, this can lead to mental health concerns: sadness, depression and unhelpful thoughts that can stop us from enjoying and coping with daily life. 
Well-Being Wednesday - At The Highway Primary School, we recognise the importance of good mental health and well-being, and it is really important to give opportunities to children to take time out, and enjoy different learning activities. We have designed a programme, which helps with developing mindfulness, relaxation, a positive sense of identity, holistic growth and talking time, all of which are all positive for our mental health. ‘Wellbeing Wednesday’ means that your child will have an afternoon every week away from more formal learning, to enjoy various activities.
Our Well-Being Wednesday Programme
Mental health Illness
Sometimes, people are born with a mental health illness which affects them throughout their lives. They might have different ways of being supported and coping with their mental health illness; they might take a medicine or they might have a doctor or counsellor that they talk to, to help them cope and regain a sense of well-being.
Mental illness is often invisible, but that doesn’t mean it should be hidden. Statistics tell us that most people suffer from a mental health concern at some point in their lives and that one in ten young people struggle with their mental health. People with any illnesses, whether they affect our mental or physical health, deserve support, help and understanding.
At our The Highway 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 setbacks
We offer different levels of support:
Universal Support – To meet the needs of all our pupils through our overall ethos and our wider curriculum. For instance, developing resilience for all.
Additional support – For those who may have short-term needs and those who may have been made vulnerable by life experiences such as bereavement.
Targeted support – For pupils who need more differentiated support and resources or specific targeted interventions such as well-being groups or personal mentors.
Everyone deserves to feel good and there are steps you or your child can take to maintain and improve your Mental Well-being:
- Build positive relationships.
- Take time for yourself.
- Look after your mental health.
- Look after your physical health.
What can your child can do in school to gain Mental Well-being?
- Be open and talk about your feelings with your friends.
- Associate yourself with positive people.
- Join an afterschool club (in due course!.
- Speak to a member of staff.
- Tell the Safeguarding and Well-being Team.
- Get physically active (a Health body and mind are closely linked).
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