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 Cunningham – Deputy Headteacher

• Miss Flint – Learning Mentor

• 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.

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