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At Cherry Orchard, we focus on our children's emotional wellbeing and development as well as their physical health and wellbeing throughout the year. The children get regular opportunities to reflect on their wellbeing and learn strategies to support them. For those children where provision in class does not meet their mental health/emotional needs we providea range of support including ELSA, drawing and talking and therapeutic play. We also have our school counsellor, Alison, who works with us one day a week to support our pupils.
We promote an active lifestyle where the children understand how to care for themselves. Children take part in weekly Physical Education lessons as well as covering physical health such as eating well and looking after their bodies in our Personal Development curriculum.
We promote an active lifestyle where the children understand how to care for themselves. Children take part in weekly Physical Education lessons as well as covering physical health such as eating well and looking after their bodies in our Personal Development curriculum.
As part of breaks and lunch times, the children are encouraged to take part in physical activities. Our regular cooking lessons provide the children with the opportunity to regularly discuss healthy foods and how to have a balanced diet. Our forest school and outdoor learning provision provides the children with opportunities to spend time outside, getting fresh air and understanding the link between seasonal foods and the foods that we are eating.
As part of breaks and lunch times, the children are encouraged to take part in physical activities. Our regular cooking lessons provide the children with the opportunity to regularly discuss healthy foods and how to have a balanced diet. Our forest school and outdoor learning provision provides the children with opportunities to spend time outside, getting fresh air and understanding the link between seasonal foods and the foods that we are eating.
In Class Support
In Class Support
All teachers get regular chances to discuss their children's mental health and strategies to support this. All classes have worry boxes where the children are able to write or draw their worries to share with their class teacher.
To support our worry boxes all classes also make use of the zones of regulation system for children to express their feelings throughout the day. Lessons and interventions also teach children strategies to move between the zones so that they are ready to learn.
Through our weekly Jigsaw PD lessons there is a mindfulness part to each lesson where the children are given time to relax, reflect and process how their body is feeling which helps them link emotions to physical feelings.
Over the course of the academic year we educate our children about the various mental health days and weeks. We have focussed on speaking out and asking for help when we need it and recognising signs of our own mental health.
Wellbeing reps
Wellbeing reps
Each class has their own wellbeing rep that attends termly meetings with one of our teachers. They get the chance to discuss their own mental health, how to recognise signs of positive and negative mental health and how to support their peers with their wellbeing. They have introduced the worry boxes to classes and the older year groups have also been able to support children that are upset on the playground.
ELSA
ELSA
ELSA support is provided for children that are struggling with their emotions. This is an intervention that is tried with children where the in class provision is not meeting the children's need. This is always implemented in collaboration with the parent.
The children work with their ELSA to work on targets so they can manage their own wellbeing in class.
We also run drop in ELSA sessions at lunctimes where children can request to speak to one of our trained ELSA's about their feelings.
Alison and The Nook
Alison and The Nook
Alison is a trained counsellor and works alongside our Mental Health Lead, SEN and Safeguarding team to provide advice and guidance to the staff team. She also runs 1:1 counselling sessions with identified children.
This is always in collaboration with parents and is tailored to the needs of the individual child.
Alison uses a range of techniques including therapeutic play, creative activites and gentle conversations. Sessions are child led.
Drawing and Talking
Drawing and Talking
Drawing and Talking is a therapeutic intervention for children, designed as a short-term, time limited, pro-active intervention.
The 12 week cycle provides children with a safe way to process their feelings by utilising drawing to express themselves.
The process allows children alternative ways to discover and communicate their emotions.
Therapeutic Play
Therapeutic Play
This intervention helps children express emotions, process experiences and develop coping skills. It is a safe and engaging space for our children to explore their feelings.
This intervention is not play therapy but utilises some of the key concepts from play therapy in a safe environment to support our pupils.
NHS Emotional Wellbeing Team
NHS Emotional Wellbeing Team
We have access to a service from the NHS called the Emotional Wellbeing Team. The team provide workshops for parents including managing worries and fears, sleep and behaviour.
The team will be working with children and families on managing emotions/worries, signposting to additional resources and running workshops for children and for parents.
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