Thrive at Batheaston
Here at Batheaston Church School we have a long history of supporting the emotional needs of the pupils within our care. This has involved supporting them both within and outside of the classroom, as we recognise that it is only when children feel emotionally settled and secure that they are able to properly access learning.
Since 2015, Batheaston has been a Thrive school, supporting children’s emotional developmental needs via the Thrive programme of support. All the staff within the school have accessed Thrive training from the school’s SENCo, who is a trained Thrive practitioner.
It has been really pleasing to see the great emotional progress made by the children involved in these support programmes, which have enabled them to better access the curriculum alongside their peers and therefore make greater strides in their learning. We are continually striving to make sure that all the children within our school are thriving and continue to do so.
To learn more about The Thrive Approach please access link below.
Home – The Thrive Approach to social and emotional wellbeing
Our Children’s Mental Health and Wellbeing
#Hello Yellow Day – World Mental Health Day
At Batheaston Church School we are committed to supporting the mental health and emotional wellbeing of our children and staff. We know that everyone experiences life challenges that can make us vulnerable and that at times we could all need additional support. We believe good mental health is everyone’s concern and all of us have a role to play in supporting this.
At our school we:
- Support children to feel comfortable sharing concerns and worries
- Help children to understand their emotions and feelings
- Help children to form good relationships across the school
- Promote self-esteem and help children understand that they matter
- Encourage children to be confident and willing to try new things
- Help children to develop resilience and handle emotional setbacks
Please click on links below for documents:
Mental Health and Well Being Policy
Mental Health and Well Being Support Offer
Lead Staff Members:
Alison Smith– Mental Health and Wellbeing Lead/PSHE Lead
Jon Stevenson– SENDCO and Lead Thrive Practitioner
Sarah Morrison– RE and Collective Worship Lead
Sally Jefferies – Safeguarding Lead
Sian Grindle – Pupil Premium Lead
Jenny Enstone– Physical Education Lead
Together these experienced lead teachers work with class teachers and support staff to promote mental health and wellbeing awareness across our school. We are committed to helping our children to build confidence and resilience and to ensure they are aware of the importance of the 5 Ways to Wellbeing.
- Be Active
- Keep learning
- Take notice/be mindful
- Give to others
- Stay connected
We have a team of Wellbeing Ambassadors who support with playtime and friendship problems, helping others join games and feel safe and included in the playground. The team meet regularly to discuss how wellbeing can be kept at the forefront of everything we do.
If necessary the school has access to Thrive assessment, School Nurse service, CAMHS, Southside Project, Mentoring Plus, Bath Youth for Christ and Brighter Futures.
As a school we get involved in special events and awareness weeks which all help to raise the profile and support our children to look after their mental and physical health. These include; Health and Wellness Week, World Mental Health Awareness Day, Safer Internet Week, Race 4 Life, Anti Bullying Week, Road Safety Week, Earth Week, Daily Mile Events, Sports Relief events, Comic Relief events and NSPCC events amongst many others.
Mental Health Week
We started the week with live assembly on Teams where we shared the story ‘The Invisible String’. We wanted to promote themes based upon connections, particularly given we are in Lockdown and are very aware that our school community are missing the human connections they get from being in school. Therefore, on the Monday the key worker children in school and the children at home found special ways to make connections with friends and family.
Throughout the week we based work around key themes such as emotions, resilience and mindfulness, tolerance, diversity and difference.
The week ended with a ‘No screen day’ where we encouraged children to engage in activities which demonstrated our 5 C’s – Compassion, Creativity, Communication, Critical Thinking and Collaboration. It was a wonderful way to end a term of remote learning!