Mental Health Provision
Promoting Positive Mental Health at Epsom Downs Primary School
Wave 1 Provision for all
Promoting positive mental health runs through the core of our school ethos.
Provision |
Delivery |
PSHE (Personal Social and Health Education) |
PSHE is taught throughout the school discretely via circle time, discussions, whole class lessons and whole school assemblies. It is also embedded throughout other subjects and in all that we do. It promotes fundamental British values, social, moral, spiritual and cultural understanding and prepares children and young people for the next stage in their lives. |
Positive Behaviour Management |
We promote a nurturing ethos and believe children learn best when they feel happy and secure. The school strives to develop an ordered, trusting, supportive and caring school that bases its practice upon a shared understanding of others. Our whole school relationship policy is underpinned by restorative approaches and our three rules are to be 'Ready, Respectful and Safe' |
Growth Mindset |
We recognise the importance of creating classrooms and teaching experiences that enable pupils to develop growth mindsets. When students have a growth mindset, they take on challenges and learn from them, therefore increasing their motivation, abilities and life-long love of learning. A person with a Growth Mindset: · is open to constructive criticism; · takes on new challenges; · (crucially) believes they can get more intelligent by working hard; · shows resilience and perseverance; · and learns from their mistakes. |
Mindfulness |
All the children in KS2 receive the Mindfulness in Schools 12 weeks of lessons. All teaching staff have received the mindfulness training so they are able to provide daily mindfulness slots in their timetables. We use a range of resources such as 60 mindful minutes, Growing Mindful, Sitting Still like a Frog and Go noodle. The children in RU and Key Stage One are introduced to mindful principles and receive short mindful sessions at least once a week. There is also a mindfulness lunchtime club once a week. |
Lunchtime Provision |
We offer a range of indoor and outdoor provision for children who struggle to cope with the lack of structure at lunchtimes and who need support in developing positive peer relationships. |
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Safety Survey |
Every year, children from Year 1 to Year 6 complete a survey which captures pupil voice about bullying and how safe they feel around the school. Embedded within this is a HIFAMS (How I Feel About my School) questionnaire, which measures the happiness and subjective wellbeing of children in school. Any children who identify as being sad in any of the areas are identified and supported accordingly. |
Healthy Mind Healthy Body Enrichment |
Led by a trained ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant), small groups of children from Year 1 to Year 4 take part in a range of activities including, worry circles, building positive self image, tackling bullying and understanding positive friendships. They explore how healthy eating and exercise positively affects our mental health, take mindfulness breaks and work on recognising emotions and feelings. |
Farm enrichment and lunchtime club |
We encourage the children to take part in caring for the animals at our small farm. Animals, and caring for them, can develop empathy and emotional regulation in children. Observing, caring for and enjoying time spent with an animal can instil a sense of responsibility and respect for life. Animals can increase sensitivity and awareness of the feelings and needs of others—both animals and humans. Pupils experience directly how their behaviour and actions affect others in a very physical way, if a child is noisy and pushy the animals will retreat but once quieter, calmer children are immediately rewarded with the animals immediate attention. There are very few tensions during the farm enrichment and club, children cooperate very well in the area.
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Gardening enrichment and lunchtime club |
As an area where creativity is encouraged, students can feel real achievement in a practical way. Communication and thinking skills can be developed as well as encouraging children to mix socially through shared experiences in a secure area. Gardening improves physical health which in turn improves mental health. |
Wave 2 Additional Interventions
Our Wave 2 provision includes targeted small-group intervention for pupils who can be expected to catch up with their peers. This type of intervention is designed for children for whom a well-structured short-term programme, delivered by either a teaching assistant, teacher or ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant), is all that is needed to enable them to make accelerated progress.
Provision |
Delivery |
Expected Outcomes |
Entry and Exit Level Data / monitoring |
Year Groups |
Nurture |
Small group provision delivered by trained, qualified and experienced ELSAs (Emotional Literacy Support Assistants) to help children cope with a range of social and emotional difficulties. |
Improvement in the area of emotional literacy being targeted, with a positive impact on learning progress as a result. Fewer incidents resulting in Warnings. |
HIFAMS (How I Feel About my School) |
Reception to Year 6 |
Social Skills Groups |
Small group provision delivered by TAs, designed and monitored by ELSAs to help children cope with a range of social and emotional difficulties. |
Improvement in the area of emotional literacy being targeted, with a positive impact on learning progress as a result. Fewer incidents resulting in Warnings. |
HIFAMS (How I Feel About my School) |
Reception and KS1 |
Therapy Dog (Ebby) |
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Research has shown that petting a dog can raise the levels of hormones that make us feel better, such as oxytocin and seratonin. Other research has shown that it can lower blood pressure and decrease the level of cortisol, the stress hormone. We have Ebby who is in training to be our therapy dog. |
Pupil voice Observation Case studies |
Reception to Year 6 |
Wave 3 Highly Personalised Interventions
Our Wave 3 provision is for children for whom Quality First teaching and Wave 2 catch-up programmes are not enough. It may need to be a more intensive programme, involving more individual support or specialist expertise.
Provision |
Delivery |
Expected Outcomes |
Entry and Exit Level Data / monitoring |
Year Groups |
Lunchtime Support |
Individual or small group provision by a TA to facilitate positive play in Fun Club or the playground. |
Improved behaviour at lunchtime from targeted children. Fewer incidents resulting in Warnings. |
HIFAMS (How I Feel About my School) |
Reception to Year 6 |
Home School Link Worker |
Individual children or siblings are supported alongside their families. |
Improved access to the curriculum through homework and increased parental engagement. Improved emotional wellbeing. |
HIFAMS (How I Feel About my School) |
Nursery to Year 6 |
ELSA Support |
Tailored support programmes are run to support individual children with a range of social and emotional difficulties, including peer relationships, transition and self-esteem. |
Improvement in the area of emotional literacy being targeted, with a positive impact on learning progress as a result. Fewer incidents resulting in warnings or yellow / red cards. |
HIFAMS (How I Feel About my School) |
Year 1 to Year 6 |
Draw and Talk |
Weekly 1:1 therapy sessions delivered by a qualified Draw and Talk therapist |
This allows children to communicate their emotions in a non-directive way. Working with children who have been through and emotional needs. |
Child's Voice |
Year 1 to Year 6 |
Family Support Worker |
Individual children and siblings supported alongside their families. |
Improved access to the curriculum through homework and increased parental engagement. Improved emotional wellbeing. |
HIFAMS (How I Feel About my School) |
0 to 5 years |
Play Therapy |
Individual or small group therapy delivered by a qualified play therapist |
Individualised outcomes based on children's needs |
SDQ Parent and Child interviews |
Reception to Year 6 |