Mental Health and Wellbeing

At KES Academy we are continually developing and improving our child-centred approach to emotional health, wellbeing and mental health. We aim to foster an ethos that promotes mutual respect, learning and successful relationships among young people and staff. We strive to create a culture of inclusiveness and communication that ensures all young people's concerns can be addressed (including the concerns of those who may be at particular risk of poor mental health) to provide a safe environment which nurtures and encourages young people's sense of self-worth and self-efficacy, reduces the threat of bullying and violence and promotes positive behaviour. The curriculum provides young people with the information they need to make good decisions about their health and wellbeing, recognise issues in themselves and others and, when issues arise, seek support as early as possible from appropriate sources. Through our PSHE programme and our daily seminar time, we promote positive behaviour and enables our students to develop empathy and British Values, understand healthy relationships and reduce disruptive behaviour and bullying. We are passionate about the role physical health has in supporting mental wellness, as part of the Rise Above project we further develop leaders to support peers. We have a strong and vibrant Anti-bullying Team and promote inclusivity through our LGBTQ+ services and Young Carers group. The Pastoral Team has a key role to play in providing a framework for behaviour. At KES Academy we aim to provide a structured school environment with clear expectations of behaviour which are regularly reset to ensure clarity, understanding and consistency. We have well- communicated social norms and routines, which are reinforced with highly consistent consequence systems which ensure support is available at all times. Supporting students in school and improving close working partnerships with families to promote emotional health and wellbeing is our priority.

Our staff bring a wide range of experience and skills, to share in planning, training and supervision.

Mental Health Professionals support our team and can provide guidance, training, resources and signpost support from their particular experience of working with children and young people. At KES Academy, we use our best endeavours to support young people and we are committed to reducing the stigma around mental health, providing early targeted intervention and triaging and supporting those most in need. This can all be achieved by integrating the development of social and emotional skills within all areas of the curriculum. By developing these skills we aim to tailor the education to the developmental needs of young people.