At Charnwood Primary Academy, we are committed to supporting the emotional health and wellbeing of our pupils, families and staff.
We know that children’s wellbeing and learning are closely connected. Children are better able to learn, build relationships and enjoy school when they feel safe, understood, valued and that they belong.
Positive mental health is everybody’s business. Supporting wellbeing therefore isn’t something that happens only when a child is struggling — it is woven through our relationships, curriculum, safeguarding practice and everyday life at Charnwood.
We aim to help every child:
Our PSHE and wider curriculum explicitly teaches children about relationships, health and wellbeing, resilience, emotions and keeping themselves safe.
Alongside this taught curriculum, the relationships children build with the adults around them are fundamental to our approach.
Children don’t always find it easy to tell an adult when something is worrying them.
We use Moodly to give pupils a simple way to let us know how they are feeling each day.
Children complete a short daily emotional check-in, allowing staff to notice changes, identify patterns and recognise when a pupil may need someone to check in with them.
Moodly doesn’t replace conversations or professional judgement. Instead, it adds another piece to the picture we build through knowing our children well.
Where a response suggests that a child may be worried, upset or finding something difficult, our Teaching Assistants and other trusted adults can check in with them promptly.
This means that children don’t always have to find the words — or wait until a problem becomes bigger — before an adult notices.
NOTICE → CHECK IN → LISTEN → SUPPORT
Children’s needs are different and the support we provide reflects this.
For many children, a conversation with a trusted adult, some reassurance or support within their classroom may be all that is needed.
At other times, a child may benefit from more regular or targeted support.
Our Child & Families Engagement Lead, Miss A. Herzberg, works closely with pupils, families and staff to coordinate pastoral and family support.
Depending on individual need, support may include:
Support is considered carefully around the needs of the individual child and in partnership with families wherever appropriate.
Sometimes children need somewhere quieter to be.
The Nest provides a safe and supportive space that children can access during break and lunchtime when they need some time away from the busier playground environment.
It provides children with an alternative place to regulate, connect with trusted adults and feel secure before returning to their day.
We also provide a range of lunchtime support clubs and activities.
These give children additional opportunities to socialise, develop friendships, take part in activities they enjoy or access a quieter and more structured lunchtime when this is helpful.
Our sensory room provides an additional space for pupils who benefit from support with sensory or emotional regulation.
These spaces are not about removing children from school life. They help children access it successfully.
Wellbeing support isn’t limited to particular rooms, interventions or members of staff.
Our aim is for children to experience supportive practice throughout their school day.
Teachers and Teaching Assistants receive regular training and guidance to help them understand and respond to children’s emotional, behavioural and additional needs.
This helps staff to:
Sometimes children benefit from support beyond what school staff can provide alone.
We work with a range of professionals and organisations so that children and families can access appropriate support when it is needed.
Our current support includes:
Pupils can access mentoring support to help them develop confidence, resilience, positive relationships and strategies for managing difficulties.
Charnwood works with our allocated Mental Health Practitioner through the Mental Health Support Team (MHST).
This provides an important link between school and specialist mental health expertise, including early intervention and advice around children’s emotional wellbeing.
We fund direct work with Tim from Synergy, providing additional targeted support for pupils where this is appropriate to their individual needs.
We also work with and signpost families to a wider range of local and national services according to individual circumstances.
The right support, at the right time, for the individual child.
Parents and carers know their children better than anyone.
Strong relationships with our families are therefore an essential part of supporting children’s wellbeing.
We encourage parents to speak to us when something changes at home or when they are concerned about their child’s emotional wellbeing. Equally, where we notice a change or concern in school, we aim to work openly and constructively with families.
Our Child & Families Engagement Lead can also provide family support, advice, Early Help and signposting to other services when families are experiencing difficulties.
Sometimes supporting a child’s wellbeing means supporting the people around them too.
Children’s wellbeing sits alongside our strong culture of safeguarding.
All staff have a responsibility to notice, listen and act when they are concerned about a child.
Our pastoral, SEND, safeguarding and teaching teams work closely together so that information is shared appropriately and children receive joined-up support.
Where a concern relates to a child’s safety or welfare, our safeguarding procedures are followed.
If you are worried about the safety or wellbeing of a child, please speak to a member of staff.
There are many organisations that can provide additional information, advice and support to children and families.
Depending on individual circumstances, school may support families to access or signpost to services including:
Because services and referral routes change over time, please speak to our pastoral team if you are unsure where to find support.
We would much rather you ask.
If you are concerned about your child’s wellbeing, something has changed at home or you simply aren’t sure whether your child needs some additional support, please get in touch.
You can speak to your child’s class teacher, a member of our pastoral team or our Child & Families Engagement Lead, Miss A. Herzberg.
Charnwood Primary Academy
01543 227560
Anna.Herzberg@charnwood.staffs.sch.uk