Pupil Health and Well-Being

At Holy Cross Boys’ Primary School, we are committed to supporting the emotional health and wellbeing of our pupils and staff.

We have a supportive and caring ethos and our approach is respectful and kind, where each individual and contribution is valued.

At our school we know that everyone experiences life challenges that can make us vulnerable and at times, anyone may need additional emotional support. We take the view that positive mental health is everybody’s business and that we all have a role to play.

At our school we:

• help children to understand their emotions and feelings better
• help children feel comfortable sharing any concerns or worries
• help children socially to form and maintain relationships.
• promote self-esteem and ensure children know that they count.
• encourage children to be confident and to use ‘TTR’ (Think, Think, Respond).
• help children to develop emotional resilience and to manage setbacks.

We promote a mentally healthy environment through:

• Promoting our school values and encouraging a sense of belonging.
• Promoting pupil voice and opportunities to participate in decision-making,
• Celebrating academic and non-academic achievements.
• Providing opportunities to develop a sense of worth through taking responsibility for themselves and others.
• Providing opportunities to reflect.
• Access to appropriate support that meets their needs.
• Weekly philosophy lessons, TTR homework diary and weekly philosophical debates.

We pursue our aims through:

• Universal, whole school approaches.
• Support for pupils going through recent difficulties including bereavement.
• Specialised, targeted approaches aimed at pupils with more complex or long term difficulties including attachment disorder.

Lead Members of Staff

Whilst all staff have a responsibility to promote the mental health of students, staff with a specific, relevant remit include:

• Mr Curran (Designated child protection officer)
• Mrs Reel (Designated child protection officer & SENCo)

Any member of staff who is concerned about the mental health or wellbeing of a pupil should speak to the lead in the first instance and record their concerns. If there is a fear that the pupil is in danger of immediate harm, then the normal child protection procedures should be followed with an immediate referral to the designated safeguarding lead.