Health and wellbeing
We take a whole school approach to wellbeing. If a child is feeling safe, happy and confident they are more likely to learn at school and progress.
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We take a whole school approach to wellbeing. If a child is feeling safe, happy and confident they are more likely to learn at school and progress.
Welcome to our dedicated Health and Wellbeing page, designed to support both our pupils and their parents and carers. At Lift Newlands, we define mental wellbeing as children feeling happy, satisfied with their lives, and able to get on with their daily tasks. We believe that promoting physical and mental health creates a "virtuous circle," where improved wellbeing leads to better academic attainment.
We want every pupil to feel safe, seen, and supported in school. Here are some of the tools and approaches we use to help you manage your feelings:
Understanding Your Emotions: We use the Zones of Energy to help you identify how you are feeling. This helps you recognise your state of alertness:
- Blue Zone: Feeling sad, tired, sick, or bored.
- Green Zone: Feeling happy, calm, and ready to learn.
- Yellow Zone: Feeling frustrated, worried, silly, or excited.
- Red Zone: Feeling angry, terrified, yelling, or hitting.
Restorative Conversations: If things go wrong or a conflict occurs, we don't just focus on punishment; we use restorative conversations to help you understand the impact of your actions and find ways to "make it right."
Finding a Trusted Adult: It is important that every pupil has at least one key adult they feel comfortable talking to if they are worried or struggling.
Self-Regulation Strategies: You can practice simple techniques like deep breathing, yoga, or "grounding" (identifying things you can see, feel, and hear) to help you stay calm when things feel difficult.
Parents and carers play a vital role in a child’s social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH). We are committed to working closely with you through a "team around the child" approach.
Positive Communication: You can support your child by maintaining open communication, modelling healthy emotional regulation, and providing a stable, nurturing environment.
Managing Transitions: Moving to a new school year or a new setting can be stressful; we use visual timetables, extra visits, and social stories to help children feel more prepared.
Screen Time Guidance: New UK guidance recommends that children under two avoid screens, and those aged two to five spend no more than one hour a day on screens. Try "safe screen swaps" like reading stories together or playing table games before bedtime.
Recognising the Signs: SEMH needs can present as withdrawal, frequent outbursts, or physical symptoms like stomach aches linked to stress. If you have concerns, please reach out to us early so we can initiate the Graduated Approach to support.
We use a graduated approach to support, starting with high-quality teaching for everyone and moving to more targeted help if needed.
1. Identification: We use reliable tools like the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) and MOTIONAL to understand a child's social and emotional development.
2. Targeted Interventions: We offer a variety of support programmes, including:
- ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistants): Trained staff who help with emotional regulation and social relationships.
- Specialist Support: This may include psychotherapy, Lego Therapy, mentoring, music therapy, or referrals to external services like CAMHS.
The internet offers fantastic educational resources, but it is important to stay safe.
Age-Appropriate Content: Use platforms like YouTube Kids, which filter out inappropriate material, and consider using restricted mode on regular apps.
Open Dialogue: Regularly talk to your child about what they are doing online so they feel comfortable coming to you if something goes wrong.
Screen Time Balance: Encourage a healthy balance between online activities and active, hands-on play.
Educational & Skills Development:
BBC Bitesize: Curriculum-linked content for all ages, including tips for starting school.
National Geographic Kids: Great for learning about science, nature, and the world.
National Careers Service: Advice for young people (aged 13+) and parents on making career choices.
Anna Freud Centre: A wealth of resources for self-care and supporting children’s mental health.
YoungMinds: Advice on mental health, including information on medications and coping strategies.
Child Outcomes Research Consortium (CORC): Information on how mental health is measured and monitored.
WISE Campaign: Free STEM activities that can be done at home, including coding with Scratch.
NASA Kids' Club: Fun space-related activities and games.
