Case Study

Supporting Mental Health Week at RGS The Grange: Helping Every Child Flourish and Fly

At RGS The Grange, we believe that a thriving school environment is built on a foundation of wellbeing. We are dedicated to fostering emotional resilience, self-awareness, and personal growth in every child. Mental Health Week is a special time when we amplify this commitment, showcasing the initiatives that make our school a beacon of support, encouragement, and positivity.

Our Commitment to Wellbeing

We are immensely proud to have received the National Children’s Bureau’s Wellbeing Award for Schools (2024-2027). This recognition underscores our dedication to creating a nurturing environment where every child feels valued and heard. During our recent inspection, assessors praised our holistic approach to mental health, recognising the depth and impact of our initiatives. We like to think they left not only impressed but with smiles as big as ours!

At the heart of our ethos is the belief that emotional intelligence and self-understanding are key to children’s development. We weave wellbeing into daily school life, ensuring that our pupils build resilience, embrace challenges, and appreciate their unique strengths – all while enjoying the journey!

Championing Mental Health: Our Key Initiatives

A Dedicated Support Team

Our mental health provision is led by a Senior Mental Health Lead and three trained Mental Health First Aiders, ensuring expert guidance and targeted support for every child. Additionally, all teachers and teaching assistants have completed The RISE CPD training, equipping them with the tools to foster resilience and emotional wellbeing in our pupils. Think of it as their secret superhero toolkit for mental health!

Flourish and Fly: Building Confidence and Social Skills

Our bespoke ‘Flourish and Fly’ programme nurtures children’s emotional and social development, helping them feel confident in both academic and co-curricular pursuits. Through group sessions that include games, role-play, and interactive activities, children build self-esteem and communication skills in a fun and engaging way. Last year alone, over 75 Prep and 15 Pre-Prep children benefitted from this initiative, led by 14 dedicated staff members. And because transitions matter, new pupils are invited to join for their first half-term to help them settle in with confidence.

Walk and Talk: The Power of a Listening Ear

Sometimes, the best conversations happen while strolling through the playground. Our ‘Walk and Talk’ mentoring programme pairs children with staff buddies for weekly check-ins, whether it’s a relaxed chat during a walk or a quiet moment of reflection. Open to all pupils through teacher, parental, or self-referral, this initiative provides a safe and supportive space for children to express themselves and feel heard.

Positivity Sessions: Strengthening Mental and Social Fitness

Our Enrichment curriculum includes dedicated Positivity Sessions, designed to promote self-awareness, resilience, and effective communication. These sessions feature engaging resources such as:

  • Fairy Twists – Classic fairy tales with a modern twist, teaching valuable life lessons about resilience, embracing change, and self-respect. Titles like Jack and the ‘Mean’ Talk and Goldilocks and the Three Dares bring powerful messages wrapped in fun storytelling.
  • Pack Types – A playful psychology-based approach that enhances self-awareness and self-esteem, giving children a positive and insightful understanding of themselves.

School Counsellor: A Guiding Light

Our trained school counsellor provides one-to-one emotional support for pupils who may be facing personal challenges. Whether it’s anxiety, friendship struggles, or simply needing a reassuring chat, our counsellor ensures every child has access to professional guidance. If challenges were dragons, she would be the calm, collected knight ready to help slay them.

Jasmine: Our Four-Legged Therapist

Nothing soothes the soul quite like a wagging tail! Jasmine, our beloved golden retriever therapy dog, brings warmth and comfort to pupils needing extra emotional support. Whether offering companionship, a calming presence, or even reading therapy, Jasmine is a cherished member of our wellbeing team. Parents and staff can nominate children for sessions with her – because sometimes, a furry friend is the best therapy of all.

Friday Wellbeing Time: A Moment to Reflect and Recharge

Every Friday afternoon, our classrooms pause for dedicated Wellbeing Time. These sessions provide children with the opportunity to reflect, reset, and build resilience – ensuring they are equipped to handle life’s ups and downs with confidence. It’s the perfect way to wrap up the week with a sense of calm and focus.

Emotional Literacy: The Superpower of Self-Expression

We believe that being able to understand and articulate emotions is a true superpower. Our Emotional Literacy programme empowers children to express their feelings in a safe and supportive environment, fostering open conversations about mental health and self-awareness. By normalising these discussions, we create a culture where every child feels seen, heard, and valued.

Celebrating Mental Health Week

During Mental Health Week, we take our commitment a step further with tailored activities and events designed to deepen our focus on wellbeing. This special week allows our entire school community to unite in celebrating the importance of mental health, while also sharing best practices with other schools looking to strengthen their own support systems. Initiatives like ‘Flourish and Fly’ and ‘Walk and Talk’ serve as excellent examples of the targeted interventions that can make a meaningful impact on children’s wellbeing.

At RGS The Grange, we believe that nurturing emotional and mental health is the cornerstone of a child’s success. Through our diverse range of initiatives, we ensure that every child feels safe, valued, and ready to flourish and fly – because every child deserves their moment to soar.

Date

3 February 2025

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