Page Updated 27.08.24
Mental Health and Wellbeing
At Stanford in the Vale CE Primary School, we recognise the importance of creating an emotionally safe and secure environment through promoting positive behaviours for learning and supporting the development of successful relationships.
We encourage openness and understanding to normalise mental health and its fluctuations throughout life.
We recognise how critical relationships between staff, children and parents are in promoting wellbeing and a sense of belonging within school.
We can identify and utilise tools, strategies and resources to help promote and support mental health and well being or signpost/make a referral to more specialist support.
If you are in need of support, please contact:
Senior Mental Health Lead: Mrs Amanda Willis - headteacher.3240@stanford.oxon.sch.uk
Adult Mental Health First Aider: Mrs Amanda Willis -headteacher.3240@stanford.oxon.sch.uk
Inclusion Manager: Miss Laura Jamison – sen.3240@stanford.oxon.sch.uk
Home School Community Link Worker: Mrs Suzanne Clarke – contact through school office
This page will provide some information and strategies to support your child/ren with their mental health and wellbeing.
Mental Health and Well-Being Policy
What is wellbeing?
- Wellbeing involves your body and mind
- Wellbeing is about living in a healthy way that is positive for you and those around you
The NHS have relaunched the "5 ways to wellbeing to improve mental health". It has actually been around since 2008 and was researched and developed by the New Economics Foundation; providing evidence to suggest that these 5 approaches help to improve mental health and happiness.
Please have a look at the website below for more useful information:
NHS 5 Steps To Mental Wellbeing
Some useful posters: (click image to download full size)
What can we do to cope with feelings of anxiety?
Dealing with anxiety can be hard. But there are some things we can do to manage these tough feelings. Have a read through our suggestions and find out what might work for you.
Promoting mental health and wellbeing
Get information on how you can promote mental health and wellbeing in children and young people. Includes tips to share with parents and carers you work with.
Helping with big emotions:
Fact4Life: Helping people with BIG emotions
Useful Links
Resources for parents and carers | Oxford Health CAMHS
Video links:
MH Week Parent Videos (dragonflyimpact.com)
Mental health documents here...
Children's Mental Health Week
Children's Mental Health Week took place from 5-11 February 2024. The theme this year was 'my voice matters'.
This theme was about empowering young people by equipping them with tools to express themselves.
When we feel empowered, there's a positive impact on our wellbeing. Children who feel that their voices are heard and can make a difference have a greater sense of community and self-esteem.
Here's what children told us they need:
- Regular conversations on a journey or at bedtime.
- I need to know it's okay to talk to you about all my feelings. Please hear what I have to say, without interrupting me.
- Please listen to me carefully and acknowledge how I am feeling—it might seem silly to you but it is important to me.
- Don't compare my experiences to your own.
- Sometimes I just need you to listen and hear what I'm saying—I don't always need answers.
- Sometimes a hug is all it takes to make me feel supported.
Here is what the classes have been doing:
Sunflower Class
Buttercup Class
For Mental Health Week 2024 children talked about things that matter to them.
They then created these amazing spirals with their most important thing that matters to them in the middle.
