Mental Health and Wellbeing
Supporting our school community
At Wellsprings School, we are committed to promoting positive mental health and emotional wellbeing to all pupils, their families and members of staff and governors. Our open culture allows pupils’ voices to be heard, and with effective policies and procedures, we ensure a safe and supportive environment for all affected - both directly and indirectly - by mental health issues.
At Wellsprings Primary School, it is our vision that all children are entitled to develop to their fullest potential academically, socially, emotionally and into healthy individuals. This will enable each child to grow in confidence and be able to fully participate in everything that goes on in the wider community with confidence. It is widely recognised that a child’s emotional health and wellbeing influences their cognitive development and learning, as well as their physical and social health and their mental wellbeing in adulthood. The department of Education recognises that, in order to help their pupils succeed: schools have a role to play in supporting them to be resilient and mentally healthy.
In addition to promoting positive mental health and wellbeing, we aim to recognise and respond to need as it arises. In an average classroom, three children will be suffering from a diagnosable mental health issue; however, we recognise that many classrooms may have a higher number of children than this.
Our belief as a school is, that by developing and implementing practical, relevant and effective mental health procedures, we can promote a safe and stable environment for children affected both directly and indirectly by mental health issues.
Our key roles in our school are:
Headteacher and Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL): Mark Lunn
Governor Safeguarding Lead: Jasmine Wark
safeguarding@wellsprings.somerset.sch.uk
Inclusion Lead and DDSL: Jane Holcombe
inlcusion@wellsprings.somerset.sch.uk
EYFS Lead and DDSL: Catherine Lang
eyfs@wellsprings.somerset.sch.uk
Mental Health Lead and DDSL: Nicky Hatton
Mental Health Governor: Trisha Budd
Our Mental Health and Wellbeing approach is informed by existing DfE guidance:
Alternative Provision (statutory guidance)
Mental Health and Behaviour in Schools(advice for schools)
Preventing and Tackling Bullying(advice for schools, including advice on cyberbullying)
Sexual violence and sexual harassment between children in schools (advice for schools)
The Equality and Human Rights Commission Advice and Guidance(provides advice on avoiding discrimination in a variety of educational contexts)
Promoting Fundamental British Values as part of SMSC in schools(guidance for maintained schools on promoting basic important British values as part of pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC)
SMSC requirements for independent schools (guidance for independent schools on how they should support pupils' spiritual, moral, social and cultural development).
Please see our Mental Health and Wellbeing policy: