Welcome to St Olave’s Prep School Wellbeing Strategy for 2024/25.
This strategy looks at the areas of wellbeing and mental health. Our aim is to ensure that all staff, pupils and parents are able to maintain positive wellbeing and mental health.
Wellbeing Vision statement
St Olave’s is a co-educational school for children aged 3-11 years old. We pride ourselves on offering pupils a broad, rounded education in a happy, caring and nurturing environment. We consider our pupil’s pastoral needs, happiness and wellbeing to be of paramount importance.
We strive to give our pupils the best start in life. We treat every child as an individual and give them every opportunity to achieve their full potential in academic, creative and sporting pursuits. We are committed to the development of children’s social, emotional skills, children’s self-esteem, their mental health and wellbeing. We are committed to developing the children’s responsibilities towards themselves, others in the school, the local and global community.
Our vision and aims are to provide a broad and forward-thinking education which cherishes a child’s individuality whilst nurturing their happiness, confidence and passion; preparing them to be independent, collaborative and resilient learners.
Focusing on the children’s personal development alongside their academic and physical development enables them to develop independence, confidence, leadership and growth mindsets, which results in confident resilient pupils who can persevere and make decisions. Learning is an adventure and we are keen to help your children become more curious and to explore the world around them.
To achieve this, the School aims to:
• Give all pupils, whatever their ability, the opportunity to flourish academically.
• Teach our children to be independent learners with enquiring minds; to create a joyful learning environment where pupils can engage fully in all aspects of discussion and take pride in their work.
• Provide a breadth of opportunity including excellent sports provision, outstanding creative, music and performing arts opportunities and a full programme of fun and challenging activities.
• Have a high emphasis on pastoral care, social skills and developing good manners. The School’s Christian ethos permeates daily life and children develop the skills to become positive members of society.
• Create an environment where boys and girls discover their passion and leave filled with a zest for learning.
• Build a supportive, cohesive and open-minded environment of pupils, parents, staff, alumni and community.
• Prepare pupils to move on to the secondary school of their choice.
• Promote and protect children and staff emotional wellbeing and mental health.
We promote six core values in all that we do:
• Compassion - kindness, respect, empathy, manners
• Commitment – resilience, perseverance, motivation, determination
• Curiosity – enthusiasm, thoughtfulness, interest
• Collaboration – teamwork, flexibility, communication
• Courage – honesty, confidence, initiative, leadership
• Creativity – originality, reflectiveness, risktaking, observation
We commit to making it our mission to promote positive wellbeing, mental health and resilience for all of our pupils and staff. We will strive to create an environment that has a whole school approach, ensuring that the message that mental health is everyone ’ s business is heard. We will put the wellbeing and mental health of our school as a top priority and commit to our policies in order to reflect this. We will provide excellent mental health support, understanding and intervention to our whole school community.
Strategic overview
To implement our vision the Headteacher and Trustees committed to appointing a Wellbeing Lead, Family Liaison and Community Lead and school counsellor in September 2018. The Wellbeing Lead along with the Pastoral Lead (SLT) will be responsible for promoting the wellbeing and positive mental health of pupils, staff and parents.
The Wellbeing and Pastoral Lead will incorporate the following into their roles: -
• Delivering staff supervision, training and CPD in relation to wellbeing and mental health
• Lead the Change Team to drive positive wellbeing across the whole school community
• Lead on the recertification application for the wellbeing award for schools (WAS) - next due February 2026
• To plan and create an action plan for the WAS process
• To evaluate the impact and outcomes based on the action plan
• Engaging parents and promoting family wellbeing
• Arrange therapeutic and advice sessions with the school nurse to support the needs of pupils and parents
• Regularly gather feedback from staff, pupils and parents and take appropriate action as a response.
Goals/Theme
What we will do to achieve this What we will do to achieve this
All staff, pupils and parents to gain a deeper
Objective 1
The whole school is committed to promoting and protecting emotional wellbeing and mental health by achieving and maintaining the wellbeing award
Theme 1
Continuing to provide information about the award
Maintain the award, ensuring continued commitment of the Headteacher and the Trustees.
Maintain and develop a review team to include staff and parents across the whole school community.
Continue to include more opportunity for pupil voice within the school
understanding about the award process and will be fully committed to embracing change for positive outcomes in relation to wellbeing and mental health
Goals/Theme
Objective 2
The school has a clear vision and strategy for promoting and protecting emotional wellbeing and mental health which is communicated to all involved in the award process
Continue to audit and evaluate our position in relation to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of staff, pupils and parents.
Create an annual action plan for the award process and monitor its progress regularly in review team meetings.
What we will do to achieve this
Continue to share updated strategy that clearly sets out our desired outcomes. Link Positive Mental Health policy to other policies as per Policy Review Log.
What we will do to achieve this
The whole school community will understand the vision and embrace learning around this by committing to the strategy
The whole school community will have their
Goals/Theme
Objective 3
The school has a positive ethos which regards the emotional wellbeing and mental health as the responsibility of all
Review any gaps in our current provision and address these in our action plan/strategy
Update strategy for emotional wellbeing and mental health annually
Share updated strategy with the whole school community and consider and review any feedback provided
Approve the updated strategy with SLT and Trustees
Continue updating the wellbeing index for pupils and complete termly mental health screening.
Then act on any concerns highlighted during this process using Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health Referral Process.
What we will do to achieve this
Continue to deliver awareness raising activities for staff, pupils and parents. Make a record of these events, gain feedback from all stakeholders.
Offering Employee Assistance scheme
views considered and take part in creating the vision and action plan
The school will enhance its provision for supporting wellbeing and mental health
All staff involved in working directly with children within the school will have a clear understanding of the risk factors for vulnerable pupils
Wellbeing Room created and timetabled interventions held with children identified through Wellbeing Index. Wellbeing garden designed and maintained to be available to all staff and pupils.
What we will do to achieve this
All stakeholders will have a clearer understanding of that wellbeing means and a richer knowledge of mental health issues and where to gain support if needed.
Theme 2
Understanding the importance emotional wellbeing and mental health
Theme 3
Understanding my role in promoting emotional wellbeing and mental health
Theme 4
Ensuring that emotional wellbeing and mental health is seen as the responsibility of all
Theme 5
Encouraging people to talk about mental health issues
Goals/Theme
Objective 4
The school actively promotes staff emotional wellbeing and mental health
Theme 6
Offering half termly ‘Time to Talk’ drop ins for staff to discuss any issues.
Offering daily ‘Time to Talk’ drop in sessions for pupils to discuss any issues via self referral form/Time to Talk box.
Termly EWMH days
Registered/subscribed ‘Tooled Up Education’ school.
Staff and parents will be able to recognise emotional health issues and respond appropriately
School will be able to facilitate learning gaps around mental health and wellbeing
The school will create an environment where everyone accepts that positive mental health and wellbeing is the responsibility of all
The school will have created an environment that releases the stigma around mental health issues
The school will continue to hold EWMH days to reduce stigma and raise awareness throughout the whole school community.
What
we
will do to achieve this
The school will annually review its wellbeing policy/work life balance for staff
2 staff rooms created for staff to spend time relaxing and space to work.
What we will do to achieve this
Staff will feel more valued and have a greater sense of their own wellbeing
Team building will be created through staff activities being offered
Supporting staff emotional wellbeing and mental health
KT available to run Thriving Teachers programme for staff wellbeing
School has purchased an employee assistance scheme. New Staff to be informed of this via explanatory leaflet/card.
Staff to be reminded of availability of employee assistance scheme regularly. Averts/notices up around school
Staff to continue to be offered supervision/support via their line manager/relevant member of SLT
An annual budget will be allocated for staff wellbeing along with workshops/further training for staff
Appraisal policies and procedures will continue to specifically support the emotional wellbeing of staff
Feedback and evaluations will continue to take place regularly to engage the wellbeing needs of staff
An environment will be created where mental health is openly talked about thus reducing the stigma around mental health
Staff to be supported in addressing key mental, physical and emotional health concerns that are faced every day, including stress and resilience, mental health signposting, mindfulness, nutrition, sleep and musculoskeletal health.
Employee assistance scheme offers in the moment support and counselling for home-life and work related issues. Financial, legal and specialist information and advice available. Support for Managers. Support can be accessed 24 hours a day.
Staff will be given the chance to consider their emotional wellbeing within the appraisal and supervision systems
Finances will be set aside through the school budget for staff wellbeing training, resources and activities
Goals/Theme
Objective 5
The school prioritises professional development and learning on emotional wellbeing and mental health
Theme 7
Promoting professional development and training for emotional wellbeing
Theme 8
Ensuring confidence and capacity among staff in addressing emotional wellbeing and mental health
Theme 9
Identifying mental health issues
Wellbeing questionnaires will be completed every academic year and the results from these will be analysed and taken in to account
What we will do to achieve this
Staff development on emotional wellbeing and mental health to continue to be part of the school development plan
Skills audits will take place and any gaps in knowledge will be addressed
The school will deliver a program of mental health training for staff including SLT, Teachers, Teaching Assistants, playground/lunchtime staff
The school will regularly assess the confidence among staff in responding appropriately to mental health or wellbeing concerns
Wellbeing Lead to continue to maintain youth and adult mental health first aid qualification and any update/add on courses.
Further members of staff to be trained as Youth
What we will do to achieve this
Staff will gain a greater depth of knowledge around mental health needs and be able to respond appropriately
SLT and Trustees will have a clear understanding of staff CPD needs for positive wellbeing and will provide continuous quality training. This will enable staff to manage pupils with emotional and mental health needs within the classroom and school environment
The school will facilitate staff wellbeing needs whilst continuing to improve productivity within the workplace
The school will have a procedure for dealing with any mental health or wellbeing concerns within the school community
Staff trained as Youth Mental Health Champions
Goals/Theme
Objective 6
The school understands the different types of emotional and mental health needs across the whole school community and has systems in place to respond appropriately
Theme 8
Mental Health First Aiders.
A Member of staff (FS) trained and supervised as ELSA, weekly sessions available for pupils as required.
Wellbeing Lead completed PLace2Be level 2 Award in Counselling Skills for Working with Children training/qualification, Counselling and Psychotherapy diploma level 3, Child Attachment diploma, adult mental health first aid, Advanced Knowledge Drawing and Talking therapy practitioner and bricks for autism Lego Ⓡ therapy, certified practitioner qualifications.
Pupils trained as Wellbeing ambassadors/champions
Wellbeing Lead to undertaking training to administer and interpret results of CORDS strength and difficulties questionnaires.
What we will do to achieve this
All pupils and staff will complete regular wellbeing questionnaires to raise any concerns and these will be acted upon appropriately
The school build upon connections with outside agencies, schools and services ensuring an information sharing process is in place
What we will do to achieve this
The school will have a clear idea of the emotional needs of its pupils, staff and parents.
Interventions will facilitate mental health needs across the school. Impact will evaluate the process and referral protocols will be in place
Wellbeing index will continue to be updated by
Identifying and acting on mental health issues
Theme 10
Supporting pupils emotional wellbeing and mental health
FP 4 full days to lead SEMH interventions and support staff in delivering these to identified children.
FS ELSA interventions for identified pupils 1 day per week
Pupils able to self refer to Wellbeing Lead via ‘Time to Talk’ box
AMc will also act as Pupil Voice lead for Peer Mentors and Anti-Bullying Ambassadors.
The school will continue to provide a wide range of emotional health interventions for pupils and regular feedback evaluations will take place to ensure good practice and positive outcomes
A wellbeing/SEMH index will be used by staff termly along with the current SEND register
A list will be maintained signposting referral services (available on school website)
staff half termly and analysed by school counsellor and SENCO/Wellbeing lead to provide support as required.
The school will know who the vulnerable children and adults are in the school and appropriate support will be given
Signpost and agency services will be clearly available and visible for all pupils, staff and parents
This will include the school website, staff room notice boards, whole school notice boards, posters around the school and newsletters.
Goals/Theme
Objective 7
What we will do to achieve this
The views of staff pupils and parents will take
What we will do to achieve this
The school will have a clear understanding of the
The school actively seeks the ongoing participation of the whole school community in its approach to emotional wellbeing and mental health
Theme 11
Engaging the whole school community in emotional wellbeing and mental health issues
place on regular intervals to gain an insight into the on-going needs for wellbeing and positive mental health
Continue to offer an open-door policy and regular meetings/drop ins with the school nurse to help raise awareness of mental health needs of families
Host regular talks and training for parents regarding the topics of mental health and emotional wellbeing
Continue to have regular mental health and emotional wellbeing weeks/days
Continue to deliver awareness raising assemblies and lessons
The school will continue to ensure that regular updates and advice regarding mental health and wellbeing are provided to staff, pupils and parents via various means
Regular feedback questionnaires will take place to evaluate the provisions in relation to mental health and wellbeing
emotional needs of its staff, pupils and parents
The school will aim to engage parents regularly with talks, workshops, advice sessions to positively enhance family life and a deeper understanding of mental health issues
The review team, staff and other wellbeing ambassadors will strive for positive wellbeing across the whole school community
Evaluations will take place regularly to understand the needs in continuing to create positive wellbeing for staff, pupils and parents
Monthly wellbeing newsletter “Head space ” sent to parents and staff. One side is focused on adults the other for children.
Weekly ‘Tooled Up Education’ newsletter sent electronically to parents and staff.
Goals/Theme
Objective 8
The school works in partnership with other schools, agencies and available specialist services to support emotional wellbeing and mental health
What we will do to achieve this
The school will continue to cultivate networks with other schools to share good practice of wellbeing and mental health support.
Continue to participate in a Wellbeing Lead Network run by Kelly Hannagan at The Education People
To look at establishing a Wellbeing cluster group led by St Olave’s review Team with local independent schools to share good practice and further develop wellbeing across schools.
A directory of agencies and services will be available to all stakeholders via our website.
The school will continue to enlist key staff to represent the school at mental health forums. They will share this information and new learning with other members of school staff
The school will continue to participate with local commissioning arrangements such as CAMHS, CHEW, Educational Psychologists, speech and language, behaviour support,
What we will do to achieve this
The school will have a strong network of other schools and agencies to share approaches around outstanding mental health and wellbeing support for all stakeholders
The school will have strong links with outside services and agencies creating an effective referral process
Key staff will be continuously trained in the mental health field and will keep- up to date with mental health learning and approaches to enable the school to provide excellent support for the whole school community
The wellbeing lead will maintain both Adult and Youth Mental Health First Aid certification
The school will train further members of staff as Mental Health first aiders
The school will continue to gain feedback from all stakeholders to assess the need for future training/services.
safeguarding and public health services
Continue to participate in Hamish & Milo network meetings and supervision sessions.
Continue to contribute to the University of Bath research study with Hamish & Milo.
To offer training to staff following Thriving Teacher programme