At Aboyne Lodge Primary School, we are committed to supporting the positive mental health and wellbeing of our whole school community (children, staff, parents and carers). We recognise that our mental health and emotional wellbeing is just as important to our lives as our physical health. We know that children’s mental health is a crucial factor in their overall wellbeing and can affect their learning and achievement. At Aboyne Lodge we are committed to removing barriers to learning and work hard to equip children with strategies to manage in times of change, difficulty and stress. We will continue to address and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health difficulties and empower children, staff and parents to reach out and access help when they need it most. We continue to promote positive mental health and wellbeing as an integral part of everything we do. We are all too aware of the legacy of the Covid Pandemic and we are ensuring extra attention is put into identifying and supporting wellbeing.

 

We currently offer the following provisions to support well-being:

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​Mental health Lead

The school has a designated mental health lead. (Mrs Charsley)  She is responsible for ensuring staff are equipped with the skills to support and manage pupils with mental health needs in their learning. Where appropriate, sharing information about pupils who are experiencing any mental health issues with those who work with them in school so that they can be supported in the school environment. 

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Drawing and talking therapy

We have two members of staff who are trained drawing and talking practitioners.  They are able to deliver individual or group sessions.  

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Regular Mental Health Updates

The mental health lead sends out regular mental health updates to the parents with up to date information on courses, events and articles.  They are also filled with advice and strategies to support parents and pupils.

 

Education and Mental Health Practitioner (EMHP)

At Aboyne Lodge we have an EMHP whose work is predominantly about preventing mild mental health concerns from escalating further.  (See attached EMHP leaflet for more information)

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St. Albans Plus and DSPL7

At Aboyne Lodge we have contact with networks of professionals through St. Albans Plus and DSPL7.  Through these networks we can access advice and support for pupils, parents and staff.  For more information on these networks and the support available please use the following links.

Home - St Albans Plus (vistastalbans.org.uk)

DSPL7 – St Albans, Harpenden and Villages DSPL7 Website

 

Mentoring and counselling

At Aboyne Lodge children can access counselling or mentoring if needed through the Vista network.  The aim of the counselling service is to provide early therapeutic interventions for children and young people who are experiencing difficulties which prevent them from engaging in their education.  Mentoring offers a ‘listening ear’ and is considered to be an early intervention service.  Mentors will explore a variety of issues with the mentee such as low self-esteem, family breakdown, bullying, anxiety, anger and behaviour.

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Family Support Worker

At Aboyne Lodge we work closely with a Family Support Worker who is able to support parents however large or small the problem.  This may be through a short phone call where she can offer tips and advice or she may sign post parents to relevant courses or workshops.  She can also guide and support families to specialist services when needed.

  

Jigsaw PSHE curriculum

At Aboyne Lodge we use the Jigsaw PSHE curriculum. Jigsaw offers a comprehensive Programme for Primary PSHE including statutory Relationships and Health Education, in a spiral, progressive and fully planned scheme of work, giving children relevant learning experiences to help them navigate their world and to develop positive relationships with themselves and others.

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With strong emphasis on emotional literacy, building resilience and nurturing mental and physical health, Jigsaw equips schools to deliver engaging and relevant PSHE within a whole-school approach. Jigsaw lessons also include mindfulness allowing children to advance their emotional awareness, concentration and focus.

 

Zones of Regulation

At Aboyne Lodge the children learn about the Zones of Regulation.  This is a curriculum which is geared toward helping students gain skills in consciously regulating their actions, which in turn leads to increased control and problem solving abilities. Using a cognitive behaviour approach, the curriculum's learning activities are designed to help students recognise when they are in different states called "zones," with each of four zones represented by a different colour. In the activities, students also learn how to use strategies or tools to stay in a zone or move from one to another. Students explore calming techniques, cognitive strategies, and sensory supports so they will have a toolbox of methods to use to move between zones. To deepen students' understanding of how to self-regulate, the lessons set out to teach students these skills: how to read others' facial expressions and recognise a broader range of emotions, perspective about how others see and react to their behaviour, insight into events that trigger their less regulated states, and when and how to use tools and problem solving skills. 

 

​Positive Minds Intervention

Positive Minds; is a 10 week wellbeing programme delivered, by Watford FC Wellbeing,  within the school setting to Year 6 students. The programme aims to improve children’s knowledge and understanding around mental health, as well as provide tools to help them be prepared for future change, particularly transitioning to secondary school. (See attached positive mind parent’s guide)

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Supporting Children at Home

Please find below ways you can access support at home.

• Improving children’s mental health in schools – Place2Be

• Anxiety Tools For Parents

• Five Ways to Well Being for Primary School Children 

• Just Talk Herts