Mental Health and Wellbeing and Growth Mindset
Wellbeing Update
In July 2023 FRIS achieved the
Wellbeing Award for Schools 2023-2026
Impact of the schools work on Emotional Health and Wellbeing
- Stakeholder evaluations provided a positive picture progress against many of the KPIs.
- The school has increased its provision for pupils experiencing EWMH difficulties.
- EHWB is a regular agenda item at Governors meetings. Governors understand their role in promoting and supporting the wellbeing of staff, parents and children.
- A range of wellbeing strategies are embedded within the everyday practice of the school for example: PHSE curriculum; emotional wellbeing and mental health interventions for individuals and groups; training and development.
- Staff feel well supported and can ask for help from each other or from management when they are in need. Staff attendance is high.
- A culture of respect and positive support has resulted in a team whose morale is high and staff, parents and children who are proud of their school.
- There has been a deeper embedding of the importance of emotional wellbeing and mental health within the school community as cited by stakeholder representatives. Stakeholders have a greater understanding of the importance of positive EWMH in the school community.
- Pupils feel safe and well supported at school. “Teachers treat people like they belong here, they look after you and make you feel better”.
- Parents are positive about how their children are supported in school and feel they can approach staff with any concerns about their children’s EHWB.
Growth Mindset by Elise Gravel
At Farnborough Road Infant School we support our whole school community; children, staff and parents in developing positive mental health and wellbeing.
There are 5 steps we can all take to improve our mental wellbeing.
If you give them a try, you may feel happier, more positive and able to get the most from life.
- Connect – connect with the people around you: your family, friends, colleagues and neighbours. Spend time developing these relationships.
- Be active – you don't have to go to the gym. Take a walk, go cycling or play a game of football. Find an activity that you enjoy and make it a part of your life.
- Keep learning – learning new skills can give you a sense of achievement and a new confidence. So why not sign up for that new course and start learning something new.
- Give to others – even the smallest act of kindness counts, whether it's a smile, a thank you or a kind word. Larger acts, such as volunteering at your local community, can improve your mental wellbeing and help you build new social networks too.
- Be mindful – be more aware of the present moment, including your thoughts and feelings, your body and the world around you. Some people call this awareness "mindfulness". It can positively change the way you feel about life and how you approach challenges.
Growth Mindset
Developing the right mindset early on is crucial for a successful, happy life. When children learn that putting in effort, practice and using the right strategies can help them get better at things, they feel empowered, and try harder. When they know their brains are capable of growing, they are more confident, resilient, and are not afraid to fail!
At Farnborough Road Infants we encourage our children to have a Growth Mindset by teaching the appropriate language to use when they are learning - e.g. practice, perseverance, resilience, don't give up and I can't do it YET!
Good books to read :
For children :
Barney Salzberg- The beautiful Oops
JoAnn Deak- Your fantastic elastic brain
Peter Reynolds -The dot
Matthew Syed - You are Awesome
Mark Pett - The Girl who never made mistakes
Ester Pia Cordova -I can't do that YET!
For Adults
Matthew Syed - Bounce
Matthew Syed - Black Box thinking
Paul McGee - S.U.M.O
Want to find out more :
If you are interested in finding out more about Mental Health and Well-being, these are some really useful website for further information.
- Young Minds
www.youngminds.org.uk
- Action for Happiness
- Boing Boing
- Place 2 Be
www.place2be.org.uk
- Time to Change
www.time-to-change.org.uk
- MindEd
www.minded.org.uk
- The Children's Society
www.childrenssociety.org.uk
- Dr. Dweck’s research
- www.mindsetworks.com/science/
If you click on the link below and then select resources, there are a wealth of different themes with case studies, leaflets and further signposting if more information is needed. It is particularly useful for supporting older children and young adults. It explains many conditions and experiences that may affect wellbeing and has real people talking about what has helped them to cope with challenges.
https://www.seftonliverpoolcamhs.com/
The Snoop Dog song is great for positive affirmations for young children. It is certainly very catchy!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1XYoduQMAjU
Have you read the 'SUMO' book by Paul McGee?
We have copies available in school if you wish to borrow
If you would like any further information or just a chat about wellbeing/mental health please just let us know.
Look after yourselves and each other,