Dickens Heath Primary School Mental Health & Emotional Wellbeing Strategy

At Dickens Heath Primary School, we believe that positive mental health is fundamental to learning, behaviour and personal development. We are committed to creating a safe, nurturing and inclusive environment where every child feels valued, listened to and supported to thrive emotionally, socially and academically.  Mental health and emotional wellbeing at Dickens Heath Primary School underpin pupils’ personal development, behaviour and readiness to learn, ensuring every child has the support they need to flourish.

Our strategy reflects our school values and our Nurture culture and ethos.

The 5 social and emotional competencies and their link to positive mental, health and wellbeing

The 5 social and emotional learning (SEL) competencies: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making improve positive mental health and well-being by providing individuals with the tools to manage stress, build resilient relationships, and make constructive life choices. These skills act as protective factors that reduce anxiety, depression, and disruptive behaviour while increasing self-esteem, empathy, and academic success.

Here is how each competency supports positive mental health and wellbeing:

1. Self-Awareness

Definition: Understanding one’s own emotions, strengths, limitations, and values.

Mental Health Impact: Helps individuals recognize stress triggers and understand how their feelings influence behaviour. It fosters a growth mindset and self-confidence, allowing for a more accurate and positive self-perception.

2. Self-Management

Definition: Regulating emotions, thoughts, and behaviors effectively (e.g., managing stress, controlling impulses).

Mental Health Impact: Crucial for emotional regulation, it helps reduce anxiety and depression. It promotes resilience by providing strategies to handle challenges, such as positive self-talk and stress management techniques.

3. Social Awareness

Definition: Understanding the perspectives of others, empathizing, and recognizing community resources.

Mental Health Impact: Promotes a sense of belonging and connectedness, reducing feelings of isolation. By fostering empathy and compassion, it helps individuals build supportive, positive relationships.

4. Relationship Skills

Definition: Establishing and maintaining healthy, supportive relationships; navigating social settings; and resolving conflict constructively.

Mental Health Impact: Stronger social skills lead to improved interpersonal relationships, which are essential for long-term well-being and reducing social anxiety. It enables better communication and the ability to seek help when needed.

5. Responsible Decision-Making

Definition: Making constructive, ethical choices about personal behaviour and social interactions.

Mental Health Impact: Promotes well-being by encouraging individuals to consider the consequences of their actions, reducing risky behaviours and improving confidence in their choices.

How the principles of Nurture promote positive mental health and wellbeing

The principles of Nurture promote positive mental health by fostering a secure, supportive, and emotionally regulated environment that prioritizes building trusting relationships, social-emotional skills, and resilience.

Key ways the principles of Nurture promote positive mental health:

• Building Secure Attachments: Children can connect with caring, reliable staff, fulfilling the need for attachment and fostering a sense of belonging.
• Focusing on Social-Emotional Development: Nurturing environments prioritise understanding and managing emotions, which boosts resilience and improves emotional literacy.
• Creating a Safe Atmosphere: By providing consistent routines, clear expectations, and regulation zones, school creates a safe space that reduces anxiety and improves emotional regulation.
• Proactive Well-being Approach: We use tools like the Boxall Profile® to identify specific emotional needs early, allowing for targeted support before problems become severe.
• Whole-School Ethos: We seek to embed the principles of Nurture as a whole school approach and ethos that values empathy and connection
• Nurture groups: By providing a structured, supportive setting that directly addresses barriers to learning, enabling children to feel, learn, and succeed.

Curriculum & Teaching for Mental Health

Mental health is taught explicitly through:

• PSHE and RSHE lessons (emotions, relationships, resilience, self-care)
• Emotional regulation strategies
• Assemblies focused on wellbeing, kindness and positivity
• Opportunities for reflection and discussion

Children learn to:

• Recognise and name emotions
• Understand that feelings change
• Use strategies to manage worries and big feelings
• Know where and how to get help

This is outlined in our strategy overview: