Wellbeing                                                   

Wellbeing [ noun ] – the state of being comfortable, healthy or happy.

Here at Moorlands, positive mental health and wellbeing continues to be high on our agenda not only for every child but also for the wider school community. This is even more important in the current, challenging circumstances. All staff play a fundamental role in the wellbeing of pupils and their families.

We have a large ‘Wellbeing Team’ of staff, who are always looking for new ways to support pupils and adults within school. The team work with all of the wider staff team to ensure appropriate support is put in place quickly and effectively.

The members of the team are:

· Miss Wrintmore – Pupils’ Mental Health Lead (Juniors)

· Miss Harris – Pupils’ Mental Health Lead (Infants)

· Mrs Chapman – Personal Social and Health Education (PSHE) and School Council Lead

· Mrs Hebditch – Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Coordinator(SENDCO) and Inclusion Lead

· Mrs Furze – Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA)

· Miss Hansen – Thrive Practitioner

· Miss Kennard – Outdoor Learning opportunities and Eco Warriors lead

· Mrs Clark – Physical Education (PE) Lead

· Ms Rhodes – Outdoor Learning and Forest School Teacher

· Mrs Crumlish – Healthy School and Medical Updates

· Miss Betts – Parental Engagement and Events lead

· Mrs Walker – Relax Kids lead (research-based mindful and relaxation techniques alongside values and positive psychology)

What one person feels is their perfect state of wellbeing may be completely different from another person. This stands to reason as we all have different goals, ambitions and personalities. Each aspect of being comfortable, healthy and happy also has many different facets that can be taken subjectively.

Mental health problems affect about 1 in 10 children and young people. They include depression, anxiety and conduct disorder, and are often a direct response to what is happening in their lives.

Alarmingly, however, 70% of children and young people who experience a mental health problem have not had appropriate interventions at a sufficiently early age. The emotional well-being of children is just as important as their physical health. Good mental health allows children and young people to develop the resilience to cope with whatever life throws at them and grow into well-rounded, healthy adults.

Things that can help keep children and young people mentally well include:

· being in good physical health, eating a balanced diet and getting regular exercise

· having time and the freedom to play, indoors and outdoors

· being part of a family that gets along well most of the time

· going to a school that looks after the wellbeing of all its pupils

· taking part in local activities for young people.

Other factors are also important, including:

· feeling loved, trusted, understood, valued and safe

· being interested in life and having opportunities to enjoy themselves

· being hopeful and optimistic

· being able to learn and having opportunities to succeed

· accepting who they are and recognising what they are good at

· having a sense of belonging in their family, school and community

· feeling they have some control over their own life

· having the strength to cope when something is wrong (resilience) and the ability to solve problems.

Most children grow up mentally healthy, but surveys suggest that more children and young people have problems with their mental health today than 30 years ago. That’s probably because of changes in the way we live now and how that affects the experience of growing up.

Five simple ways to improve our overall wellness and to model good wellbeing to our children are:

Connect – talk and listen to others and always live in the moment.

Be active – do what you can and enjoy what you do.

Take notice – remember the simple things that give you joy.

Keep learning – embrace new experiences and seek new opportunities.

Give – give people your time, your words and your presence.

“Wellness is the complete integration of body, mind and spirit. The realisation that everything we do, think, feel and believe has an effect on our wellbeing” Greg Anderson