The mental health and emotional well-being of our children, parents, carers and staff is extremely important. Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices.

At Tidemill, we believe in equipping our pupils with the knowledge and skills necessary to build the foundations of obtaining positive mental health to ensure they benefit fully from all the opportunities available to them. As part of our Personal, Social, Emotional & Economic (PSHE) curriculum, children learn about key themes to support their understanding about wellbeing and mental health through topics such as: ‘My Mental Health and Me’, ‘My feelings and Me’, ‘Pressures I may Face’, ‘How am I feeling?’, ‘Healthy Me’, ‘Managing Myself and My Behaviour’, and ‘Looking after Me’.

We have a range of embedded practices, resources and services available to pupils to promote positive mental health including: pupil mindfulness leaders, mindfulness activities, Year 6 Pupil Advocates supporting other children on the playground, referrals for specialist children’s services, transition support, lunchtime and after school clubs, and a named school mental health first aider, amongst other provision.

At Tidemill, we help children to understand their emotions and ensure they feel comfortable sharing their concerns or worries. We support their social needs, promote self-esteem and develop their confidence and emotional resilience. Using the ‘Zones of Regulation’ framework, we are able to teach children how to self-regulate and manage their complex feelings and experiences, by providing them with strategies to communicate their emotions in a safe, non-judgmental environment.