At Callowell we take the emotional wellbeing of our children very seriously. Please view the documents below for information about how we can work together to support your child.

At Callowell Primary School we work towards positive Emotional Health and Wellbeing in the whole of our school community, for adults as well as children. 

We support the National criteria, which states: “A healthy school ensures that when pupils are unhappy, anxious, disturbed or depressed there are open channels for them to seek or be offered support, without stigma and with appropriate confidentiality. A healthy school actively seeks to promote emotional health and wellbeing and helps pupils to understand their feelings”. Callowell Primary School supports and enhances pupil personal development and mental wellbeing, by providing guidance and opportunities to use the ‘Five Ways to Wellbeing’: 

1. Connect 
Connecting with family, friends and people around you at home, school and in your community will enrich and support you every day. 
2. Be Active 
Exercising makes you feel good. Find something you enjoy such as dancing or going for a walk. 
3. Take Notice 
Be curious and ask questions, remark on the unusual, savour the moment, be aware of the world around you. Reflecting on your experiences will help you to appreciate what matters to you.
4. Keep Learning 
Try something new or rediscover an old interest. Set a challenge that you will enjoy achieving. Learning new things helps you to become more confident, as well as being fun. 
5. Give 
Do something nice for a friend; remember to say ‘thank you’ and smile. Seeing yourself as belonging to a wider community helps you to create new connections with people. 

Talking to your child about feelings: Talking to your child about feelings - NHS

Spotting signs of depression in children:Depression in children and young people - NHS

YoungMinds offers free confidential online and telephone support to anyone worried about the emotional and mental wellbeing of a child or young person up to the age of 25.

• call the free parents' helpine on 0808 802 5544 from 9.30am to 4pm, Monday to Friday
• email parents@youngminds.org.uk and YoungMinds will respond to your query within 3 working days

The charity also has information for parents and carers about mental health.

MindEd for Kids:

MindEd for families is a branch of MindEd, intended to support parents and those caring for children and young people.

MindEd is an online e-portal offering free, simple advice about children and young people's mental health for all adults.

Although MindEd is aimed at professionals, parents and carers may also find the information helpful.

Young Minds Matter:

Our school is taking part in a national initiative known as Young Minds Matter, formally Trailblazers. As a school, we are working with statutory health providers who will be delivering mental health service to pupils within our school.

When to seek professional help:

There's a difference between feeling a bit low from time to time and a serious emotional health problem.

If your child is feeling unhappy and low for a prolonged period of time, or if you have any other serious concerns about your child or young person, it's time to seek more professional help.

Any professional working with children and young people should know what to do. You may find it helpful to speak to:

• your GP
• someone you trust at school or college – for example, a teacher, pastoral lead, school nurse or special educational needs co-ordinator (SENCO)
• health visitors
• children's centres

For example, if you approach a teacher about your concerns or to see if they’ve noticed anything, they might speak to different staff working in the school. For example, a school counsellor, a support worker or, in many areas, a mental health support team for schools.

If the problem is more complex, the professional you initially approached may suggest getting help from colleagues with more specialist training.

A GP might refer a parent of a child with behaviour problems to a local parenting programme, or a young person who's depressed might be referred to specialist children and young people's mental health services (CYPMHS).

You should contact your local support services immediately if you're aware of a child or young person at serious risk of harm.

For more information, please visit https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/nhs-services/mental-health-services/cypmhs-information-for-parents-and-carers/

Our Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) curriculum addresses topics such as resilience, mental health, mindfulness, bullying, bedtime routines, healthy relationships, protective behaviours, body image and peer pressure, amongst other PSHE related topics.

These topics are revisited regularly, from Reception to Year 6, to instil good habits and embed coping strategies in our pupils. 

Pupils are supported through small group work and class based lessons, as well as individual support programmes where appropriate. Regular assemblies highlight the importance of good mental health and the ‘5 Ways to Wellbeing’. 

At Callowell, it is not only the emotional health and wellbeing of the pupils that we consider but also that of the staff. The systems we have in place to support the staff reflect those of the pupils, for example we have a team who make time for any member of staff requiring support or a listening ear.