Mental Health and Well-being

The World Health Organisation states that "Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity" and that "mental health is a state of well-being in which an individual realises his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and is able to make a contribution to his or her community."

Mental health and well-being are fundamental to our collective and individual ability as humans to think, feel, interact with each other, earn a living and enjoy life and the promotion, protection and restoration of mental health is a vital concern of individuals and communities. At Wadebridge School we feel that good mental health and well-being can best be realised through creating a whole school culture that seeks to promote positive relationships throughout our community and implementing targeted and specific actions to promote the health and well-being of our students, parents and staff. In July 2020 we were delighted that this whole school ethos was acknowledged as the school received a Gold Award from the Carnegie Centre of Excellence for Mental Health in Schools for our work in this filed; the full report can be read here.

In June 2021 the school welcomed consultants from Headstart Kernow and TIS UK to audit the school's provision. This was a very positive process which identified many areas of strength, the overall assessment reads as follows:

Wadebridge is a truly warm, caring and inclusive school. Students consistently talked about the support for wellbeing that they receive here and the way in which adults help them. Students have access to emotionally available adults and know where to find them. These adults are well trained and have a good understanding of best ways to support children. The school makes effective use of motional to monitor student’s needs and to establish bespoke programmes/ interventions for them. The senior leadership team model positive relationships including PACE and are fully invested in students, staff and parents. The wellbeing of all these stakeholders comes first and there is a strong awareness of the need to provide psychological safety within the environment and attachment to adults if students are to achieve their best. School leaders are passionate about the students and the wellbeing of all those associated with the school. Their commitment, visibility and willingness to actively support wellbeing is what makes this such a core aspect of the culture of the school, and makes the school such a positive place to be.

The full report can be accessed here.

The school's policy on promoting positive mental health can be accessed here.

Education Support is a UK charity dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of the education workforce: https://www.educationsupport.org.uk/

Headmeds is a website designed to give information relating to mental health conditions and medication.

Young Minds provides a wide range of resources for professionals, pupils and parents.

Schools in Mind is a free network for school staff and other professionals with a range of resources regarding well being and mental health issues that affect schools.

Rethink Mental Illness @Rethink

School Mental Health @SchoolMHealth

Mental Health First Aid England @MHFAEngland

Dr Pooky Knightsmith @PookyH

Natasha Deveon @_NatashaDevon

Young Minds @YoungMindsUK

Samaritans @samaritans

Mental Health Foundation @mentalhealth

SANE @CharitySANE

Heads Together @heads_together

Mind @MindCharity

Time to change @TimetoChange

Mental Health Foundation

Blurt Foundation

At Wadebridge School we have a dedicated team of colleagues who work as our Health Champions. Their role is to promote and encourage a positive work environment through supporting staff with their health and wellbeing. As well as running a range of initiatives to encourage mutual care and support (e.g. secret buddies, STAR awards, social events, sports) the team also look to support staff in their own working practices through delivering training aimed at developing reflective working habits. A number of the Health Champions team are trained in Adult Mental Health First Aid enabling them to identify warning signs that someone may be experiencing mental health problems. Alongside this the Health Champions provide colleagues with sign-posting to information relating to health and wellbeing including details of local organisations that focus on specific issues. These are primarily highlighted through regularly updated communications such as noticeboards, newsletters and a dedicated webpage. Examples of the newsletters can be accessed below:

Autumn 1 2021

Autumn 1 2020 Autumn 2 2020 Spring 1 2021 Spring 2 2021 Summer 1 2021 Summer 2 2021

Autumn 2019 Autumn 2 2019 Spring 1 2020 Spring 2 2020

Autumn 1 2018 Autumn 2 2018 Spring 1 2019 Spring 2 2019 Summer 2019

Autumn 2017 Spring Term 2018 Summer 2 2018 Summer 1 2018

Autumn 2015 Spring 2016

Autumn 2 2014 Autumn 1 2014 Spring 2015 Summer 2 2015 Summer 1 2015

Summer 2014 Spring 2014

Factsheets and information

Positive steps to wellbeing Let's get physical Mindful Yoga

Anxiety How to overcome anxiety and fear Understanding anxiety and panic attacks

How to look after your mental health how to be mentally healthy at work