Mental Health and Wellbeing at Harefield Primary School

At Harefield Primary School, supporting the mental health and wellbeing of our pupils is a key priority. Mrs Carr, our Executive Headteacher, is the school’s Mental Health Lead. We are currently working towards becoming a Trauma Informed School, recognising the impact that adverse childhood experiences can have on children’s emotional wellbeing and development.

Within school, we offer a wide range of support to meet the needs of our pupils, including:

• 1:1 support with our ELSAs (Emotional Literacy Support Assistants)
• A range of group wellbeing interventions, including Stormbreak, Hamish & Milo and Talkabout
• Monday Morning Club for children who benefit from a calm, supported start to the week
• Lunchtime Club for pupils who find the playground challenging and prefer small group activities
• Breaktime Club for children who benefit from adult support to help structure their play
• Regular check-ins with key adults for pupils who need consistent emotional support
• Behaviour reward charts to support self-esteem and encourage positive choices
• Recognition Boards in every classroom to celebrate effort and achievement, building self-worth
• A weekly Celebration Assembly to recognise and celebrate pupils’ successes
• Individualised and bespoke support tailored to specific needs

We also provide targeted programmes to support pupils’ social, emotional and communication development.

Our Hamish & Milo intervention is delivered in partnership with parents, ensuring a consistent and supportive approach between home and school. Through stories and practical activities, this programme helps children understand and manage their emotions, build resilience, and develop positive coping strategies.

In addition, we run Talkabout programmes to support children in developing their social communication skills. These sessions help pupils build confidence in speaking and listening, understand social situations, and form positive relationships with others.

Stormbreak

We have recently introduced Stormbreak sessions for our Year 3 pupils, giving them opportunities to take part in short bursts of mentally healthy movement during the school day. We are already seeing the positive impact of this and are working towards rolling the programme out across the whole school.

Stormbreak supports children to develop key aspects of wellbeing, including:

• Resilience
• Relationships
• Self-care
• Self-worth
• Hope and optimism

We are excited to expand this approach so that all pupils at Harefield Primary School can benefit from it.

Children can also access Stormbreak at home via www.stormbreak.org.uk. By creating an account, they can track their progress, complete activities, and earn online badges and certificates.

Together, these approaches reflect our whole-school commitment to supporting every child to feel safe, valued, confident and ready to learn.

Other Support Agencies

Re:Minds: is a Southampton based organisation supporting families whose children/young people have Autism, ADHD or other neurodiverse needs and/or mental health needs - with or without a diagnosis. Re:Minds (reminds.org.uk)

Hampshire Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service: CAMHS is a NHS specialist service that aims to help young people aged 5 -18 years and their families who are finding it hard to manage their emotional and psychological health, and who are suffering with acute, chronic and severe mental health problems.  You can self-refer to CAMHs.  Find guidance at  https://hampshirecamhs.nhs.uk/

Mental Health in Schools Team: MHST offer support for parents of children under 12 with anxiety and/or who are experiencing behavioural issues.  Talk to a member of school staff about making a referral to the team. https://www.solent.nhs.uk/our-services/services-listings/southampton-mental-health-in-schools-team-mhst/

Public Health Nursing Service: The school nursing team offer support to children aged 5-19 on a range of issues, including sleep issues, difficulties with food and anxiety.  You can self-refer at https://www.solent.nhs.uk/our-services/services-listings/public-health-nursing-5-19-years/

Anna Freud: Anna Freud is a world-leading mental health charity for children and families.  They work in collaboration with children and young people, their families and communities and mental health professionals to transform children and families' mental health.  They have lots of resources and advice for parents at https://www.annafreud.org/services/services-for-families/

Young Minds: Young Minds is the UK’s leading charity fighting for children and young people's mental health.  There are resources, advice and links to other support agencies at https://www.youngminds.org.uk/