Wellbeing
At Burntwood School we understand the importance of student wellbeing. We recognise that student’s emotional and physical wellbeing are essential components that lay a foundation to support students to achieve and thrive in education and beyond.
Our aim is to create an environment where students:
- Feel safe, happy, and supported.
- Can recognise what is normal and what might be a concern in themselves and others.
- Know how and where to seek help when needed.
- Develop the knowledge and skills to make good decisions about their health.
- Build resilience, character, and positive personal attributes such as kindness, integrity, and honesty.
Our approach
Our approach is in-line with the The Department for Education (DfE) and the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (2021) guidance which recommends the following eight principles:
We understand that good mental health and wellbeing helps students:
- attend school;
- develop key life skills, particularly social and emotional skills;
- engage in learning;
- achieve academically;
- have better longer term outcomes, such as future employment.
Our wellbeing offer is built on two interconnected areas:
Pastoral Care
Our dedicated pastoral teams provide targeted support for students at every stage of their secondary school journey. From our form tutors who know each student as an individual, to our year teams who coordinate support across the year group, we ensure that every student has trusted adults they can turn to. We work closely with families and external agencies to provide early intervention and ongoing support when students face challenges.
Curriculum
We aim to give students the information they need to make good decisions about their own health and wellbeing, enabling them to recognise what is normal and what is an issue in themselves and others, and when issues arise, know how to seek support as early as possible from appropriate sources. Through our PSHE programme, Relationships and Sex Education, and Health Education, registration activities as well as through subjects across the curriculum, we equip students with the knowledge and skills to maintain positive mental and physical health.
Our provision
Useful websites/links for parents
We have collated some useful resources for parents and carers. Click on the links to access the sites.
Is my child too ill for school? (NHS) - information to help parents and carers understand if their child is well enough to go to school.
Anxiety in children (NHS) - information and advice for parents and carers on the signs and causes of anxiety and how to support their children.
School anxiety and refusal: how parents can help (BBC Bitesize) - guidance on recognising difficulties with wellbeing and attendance and where to seek support.
Supporting your child with school anxiety and refusal (YoungMinds) - guidance for parents and carers on supporting young people with anxiety and attendance.
A parent workbook: supporting your child with school-based anxiety (Cardiff and the Vale University Health Board) - a workbook for parents and carers with activities to help their children understand and manage anxious feelings related to school.
Mind Information for parents, carers, family members and guardians supporting a young person with their mental health and wellbeing.
Young Minds offers tailored information, advice and support to parents and carers who are concerned about their child or young person’s mental health
NSPCC Children’s charity aimed at stopping the abuse and neglect of children. Help for adults concerned about a child Call us on 0808 800 5000
FRANK Advice about drugs
Cruse bereavement helpline for those supporting children or young people - 0808 808 1677
