Mental Health and Well-being
At Penwortham Primary School, we believe that happy, healthy children learn best. Supporting the mental health and wellbeing of our pupils, families and staff is central to our school ethos and woven through everything we do. We are committed to creating a nurturing, inclusive environment where every child feels safe, valued and able to thrive.
Our Whole-School Approach
We take a proactive, preventative approach to wellbeing. This means:
Building strong, trusting relationships with children and families
Teaching emotional literacy, resilience and healthy coping strategies
Creating a calm, supportive learning environment
Ensuring staff are trained to recognise early signs of worry or distress
Working closely with families and external agencies when additional support is needed
Wellbeing is everyone’s responsibility — and every child’s wellbeing matters.
Wellbeing in Our Curriculum
Wellbeing is embedded throughout our curriculum, including:
PSHE and RSE
We teach children how to understand their feelings, build positive relationships, stay safe and make healthy choices.
Bounce Back & Recovery Curriculum
These programmes help children develop resilience, confidence and emotional awareness, especially during times of change or challenge.
Daily Routines
Circle times, check-ins, mindfulness moments and opportunities for reflection help children feel grounded and connected.
Universal Support for All Children
Every child at Penwortham benefits from:
A caring, nurturing school culture
Adults who listen and respond
Opportunities to talk about feelings
A strong focus on kindness, respect and positive behaviour
Access to our Wellbeing Library, filled with books that help children explore emotions and understand themselves
Targeted Support for Children Who Need It
Some children may need additional support at certain times. We offer:
1:1 or small-group wellbeing sessions
Emotional regulation support
Worry boxes and regular check-ins
Pastoral support from our Learning Mentor
Support from our Children and Family Wellbeing (CFW) Champion
Early Help where appropriate
We work closely with families to ensure the right support is in place at the right time.
Specialist Support and External Services
When children or families need more specialist help, we can signpost or refer to:
School Nursing Team
Mindsmatter (NHS psychological therapies)
Lancashire Wellbeing & Mental Health Helpline
Domestic abuse support services
CEOP (online safety)
Lancashire Family Hubs
We work in partnership with families and professionals to ensure children receive the support they need.
Supporting Parents and Carers
We know that supporting a child’s wellbeing starts with supporting families. Our Wellbeing Resources for Families page provides:
Practical wellbeing activities
Advice for talking to children
Support for big life events
Links to trusted organisations
Guidance on when and how to seek help
If you are ever worried about your child, please speak to us — we are here to help.
Staff Wellbeing
We recognise that staff who feel supported and valued are best placed to support children. We promote staff wellbeing through:
A supportive, open culture
Regular opportunities to share concerns
Access to wellbeing resources
A focus on workload and work–life balance
Happy staff = happy children.
If You Need Support
Please speak to:
Miss Penarski – Headteacher
Mrs Barlow - Assistant Headteacher
Sarah Davidson – CFW Champion
We will always listen, support and guide you.
Our Well being Library
We have a growing collection of books available for children and families to borrow. These books support positive mental health and wellbeing, helping children understand their feelings, build resilience and learn about themselves and others. This is just a small selection — please speak to us in school if you would like to borrow a book or need help choosing one.
