At Newlands Junior School, we take the emotional health and well-being of our pupils and their families very seriously. We have a supportive and caring ethos, our approach is respectful, and kind, where our open culture allows all voices to be heard and all contributions are valued. At our school, we know that everyone experiences challenges that can make us vulnerable and at times, anyone may need additional emotional support. We take the view that positive mental health is everybody’s business and that we all have a role to play. All of this ensures that our school is a safe, supportive environment for everyone.

As a school community, we are extremely proud to have achieved the Wellbeing Award for Schools for a second time.

Our Senior Mental Health Lead is Ms Karen Elliott.

To further enhance our pastoral support, we have two additional part-time members of staff:

A Pupil Wellbeing and Family Support Lead - Mrs Melanie Walters

A Pastoral Support Worker - Miss Sarah Haywood

If you need to contact Ms Elliott, Mrs Walters or Miss Haywood at any time, please make an appointment at reception or call school on 01623 480440. Alternatively you can send a message to the school office on office@newlands.notts.sch.uk and

they will get back to you as soon as possible.

They are able to answer any questions you may have regarding your child’s Social, Emotional, Mental Health and pastoral needs. They can also find you information on support available and coordinate support from different services if required.

If you are worried or finding things difficult, they are here to listen and to help - our door is always open and the kettle is always on! 

Here are a few helpful websites and/or phone numbers that will provide you with information, if you ever feel that you need help or advice, or just need to speak to someone:

NSPCC 0808 800 5000 www.nspcc.org.uk

Young Minds (Time to Change)

Parent’s helpline: 0808 802 5544

www.youngminds.org.uk

Childline 0800 1111

www.childline.org.uk

Each Amazing Breath: Take Five Breathing

We have used Take Five breathing to build resilience, confidence and a determination to succeed as part of our daily routine for a number of years now and find it helps the children and staff greatly. By taking just 5 minutes to focus on different breathing techniques to help the children (and adults!) refocus, at key points when children enter the classroom and are expected to be ready to learn (at the start of the school day, after break and lunchtime), we have found the children are much calmer and relaxed.

The breathing techniques the children learn are also transferrable to other points in their lives when they may feel unsettled, angry or upset. Many of our children report using their favourite breathing activity to help them relax and go to sleep whilst our children with additional needs use breathing as a strategy when they find themselves becoming dysregulated.

We have recently renewed our training with Each Amazing Breath and will be recruiting more Breathing Ambassadors across all year groups shortly.
 
 

Useful contacts

Please be aware of the following services should you need any help or advice:

• Parentline 07520 619919 – Healthy Family Teams confidential texting service to provide parents and carers advice around feeding, child development, parenting advice and support, emotional health and wellbeing, behaviour difficulties and family health.
• Chat Health 07507 329952 - this is a confidential texting service for 11 to 19 year olds in Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust. 
• ChildLine 0800 1111 www.childline.org.uk   
• Kooth - www.kooth.com - this is an online counselling service.
• Health4teens - www.healthforteens.co.uk - this is an NHS site supporting young people around emotional wellbeing.
• Health4kids – www.healthforkids.co.uk – this is an NHS site supporting young children and parents.
• Notts Help Yourself – www.nottshelpyourself.org.uk – this is a site for advice, information and local services available.
• CAMHS crisis team  - Tel 01158542299 or 01158440560 or email CAMHSCrisisTeam@nottshc.nhs.uk
• Young Minds – www.youngmids.org.uk