Health and Wellbeing

We believe that a successful and happy Catholic school must be based on strong, caring relationships that value the health and wellbeing of everyone above all else. Without this children cannot learn and thrive and staff cannot perform to their best. It is because we are a Catholic school that we strive to create a nurturing ethos of love and support through which we can challenge, develop and grow the abilities of young people and celebrate their uniqueness.

 

Success in life learning, in exams and extra-activities all depend on young people knowing themselves, being comfortable with who they are and being confident and resilient. This is what it means to be ‘Christ-centred’: the dignity of each person is at the heart of our school and must be prioritised in every interaction.

 

Our Mental Health and Wellbeing leaflet is for pupils, parents, carers and family members so that everyone is aware of what we are doing to support children and we all understand what resources are available.

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We believe that in order to learn young people must be safe, healthy and included.  We do this by creating an environment that is conducive to pupil wellbeing and by doing the same for staff.  In our school it’s ‘okay to be not okay’ and we try to foster an atmosphere in which young people can talk openly about their feelings, learning to use their own resources to cope, thrive and be successful.

 

Making sure others feel well, looked after, have a sense of belonging and are healthy is everyone’s responsibility at St. Ambrose Barlow RC High School, underpinned by strong relationships and our faith.  Through form time, PSHE, specific supports and interventions and a large team of trained staff.  We are always looking to develop our practice in this area and work with a variety of professionals who provide advice and training.

 

All the Parent PacksGreat learning starts with wellbeing.  This is expressed below in our Mission diagram which underpins all the work we do in school.

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Our Main Priority: Promoting positive attitude to mental health and well-being
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Key priorities:
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1. Encouraging young people to talk about mental health and to overcome and challenge stigma and prejudice

2. Provide appropriate and effective mental health support to young people, staff and their families when it is needed and, where possible, prevent matters escalating

3. Ensure that all aspects of the school promote positive relationships and well being

 
What can you do in school if you are a pupil who needs support?
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You can reach out for support to one of our staff allocated to Mental Health and Well Being team.  We have a wide range of strategies and supports we can offer. Additionally, you can speak to your Form Tutor, Head of Year or one of your trusted teachers who will also help you and refer you to a key adult in school.

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What can you do at home if you are a pupil who needs support?
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There are many online websites/apps that you can use outside of school that will help support your mental health and wellbeing:
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Kooth - www.kooth.com
Free online counselling available to young people (ages 11-18) 365 days a year, usually in the evenings and at the weekends.
A live chat allows young people to contact a qualified counsellor, chat with other young people on a forum and self-help resources
 
Samaritans – www.samaritans.org/branches/manchester
Samaritans offer a listening service where volunteers are available around the clock, each day of the year to offer emotional support.

Extra information can also be found on the Salford City Council website under Emotional Health and Wellbeing:
www.salford.gov.uk/children-and-families/youth-zone/emotional-health-and-wellbeing
 
What can you do as a parent/carer of a child or young person who needs support?
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Talk to us.

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If you are worried about the mental health and wellbeing of your child then contact the members of staff listed above, their key adult in school or form tutor/head of year – as soon as you do, we will provide any support we can offer in school.
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Additionally, at home you can help your child by talking openly about mental health and encourage your child to express their feelings, especially when they are confused, under pressure or upset – you can access any of the links above for support with this.

 

Young Minds – www.youngminds.org.uk
Young Minds offers advice and support to young people living with mental health, but also support to parents and carers.
 
Mind Manchester – www.manchestermind.org/our-services/cyp
Mind Manchester offers online counselling referrals, a self-care hub, well being tips and support groups for young people.
 
42nd Street – www.42ndstreet.org.uk
Online support and advice on Mental Health and Wellbeing for young people, parents and carers.
 
Sane – www.sane.org.uk
Young SANE is a virtual community that focuses on mental health and wellbeing for people under the age of 25.
Phoneline also open to offer support between 4pm and 10pm each day – 0300 304 7000

 

Our Wellbeing Team

 

The team is every adult (and young person) in the school; we all have responsibility for one another’s wellbeing.  The key people are:

 

• Mr Jones – Lead of Mental Health and Wellbeing (AHT & SENDCO)

• Miss Frost – Deputy Mental Health and Wellbeing Lead/ Solution-focused Coaching Lead

• Miss Harrington and Miss Prady – Deputy SENDCos

• Mrs Goddard – Director of Safeguarding

• Mrs S Moynihan – Deputy Safeguarding Officer

• Miss A Scowcroft - School Therapist 

• Miss White, Mr Fairclough, Miss Statham and Mrs Riley – SEMH Team

• Your Year Manager or Head of Year

• Any other member of staff – we have several trained in Mental Health First Aid and other supports