Hampsthwaite Primary School - Wellbeing

Staff Responsible for Wellbeing

Katie Tennant - Pastoral Lead 

Sheila Gibson - Wellbeing Lead (Y5/6 Class Teacher)

Alex Scott - Wellbeing and Nurture Support Assistant

Over the course of their education, children spend over 7,800 hours at school. With such a huge amount of time spent in the classroom, schools provide an ideal environment for promoting good emotional wellbeing and identifying early behaviour changes and signs of mental distress. The social and emotional skills, knowledge and behaviours that young people learn in the classroom can help them to build resilience and set the pattern for how they will manage their mental health throughout their lives.

Emotional wellbeing is a clear indicator of academic achievement, success and satisfaction in later life. Evidence shows that mental health and wellbeing programmes in schools, can lead to significant improvements in children’s mental health, and social and emotional skills. Wellbeing provision in schools can also lead to reductions in classroom disruptions. 

Knowing the benefits of good wellbeing provision, at Hampsthwaite, we want to ensure that our education continues to be balanced as we truly believe that in doing this, we will help our children build resilience, look after their emotional wellbeing and go on to thrive in adulthood. We feel that our dedication to supporting the mental and physical wellbeing of our children is further reflected in the introduction of Wellbeing Ambassadors (September 2020), the appointment of a Pastoral Lead (September 2021) and our school wellbeing notifications - 'Our Happy News', (which from Autumn '24 will be included in our school newsletter, created by the Wellbeing Ambassadors) - all of which enable our children to contribute positively to our school environment, values and ethos and to feel that they have a voice in school which is listened to. 

Our Wellbeing Ambassadors meet weekly to discuss the wellbeing of children at school and look at ways of raising the importance of wellbeing. They go into classrooms and talk about the 5 ways to wellbeing, highlight the wellbeing support available in school (eg The Worry Box, their ambassador role, wellbeing assemblies and events...) and allow the children the opportunity to share any of their current concerns. They run wellbeing clubs and lead days such as Children's Mental Health week, Anti-bullying days, Internet Safer...

Extra Support

At different times in their lives, children will need additional support with their mental health and wellbeing.

At Hampsthwaite we have experienced teaching assistants who will support your children to make progress and take time out of lessons to help nurture them as confident individuals.

Every member of our staffing team is trained in supporting your child’s mental health.

Nurture groups, mindfulness sessions and structured emotional counselling sessions are all used as tools to meet the individual needs of children on a weekly and daily basis.

Our Pastoral Lead, Mrs Tennant, offers support to children and families who need to talk. She works with children on a one to one basis or in small groups. Parents, teachers and children can ask to speak to Mrs Tennant. She is available on Tuesdays and Wednesdays for appointments and can be contacted through the school office.

Wellbeing activities in school

Academic Year 2024-2025

24/9/24

MacMillan Coffee and Connect Morning

Parents and carers were invited in to join the wellbeing ambassadors for a cup of coffee and a slice of cake (provided by the staff). The ambassadors gave a presentation on their role in school and answered any questions our visitors had. We raised £141.00 for MacMillan Cancer Support.

27/9/24

National Teaching Assistants' Day

The ambassadors made cards for our Teaching Assistants to thank them for all their hard work. They delivered these around school with a cup of tea, a KitKat and a special TA bookmark.

1/10/24-4/10/24

NSPCC Kindness Challenge

The wellbeing ambassadors introduced our NSPCC Kindness Challenge with a whole school assembly on National Smile Day. Children then created their own Acts of Kindness they could do in school, at home and in their community. We raised £243.50 for the NSPCC. Thank you so much for all your kind donations.

8/10/24

NSPCC Speak Out Stay Safe Workshops

Y2, Y5 and Y6

Years 2, 5 and 6 had their NSPCC workshops, where they talked about the importance of speaking out if they do not feel safe. They were introduced to 'Buddy' the NSPCC mascot, and took part in a range of activities.

11/11/24- 15/11/24

Anti-Bullying Week

12/11/24

Odd Socks Day

On Tuesday 12th our Wellbeing Ambassadors delivered an assembly to our children about the importance of 'Choosing Respect' - which is this year's anti-bullying theme. They talked about what bullying is and how it can make people feel. They shared their ideas about how we can show respect for everybody and what people could do if they are worried.

We also held our 'Odd Socks Day' to encourage everyone to understand that it is OK to be different and to celebrate this.

In classes, the children took part in a range of activities focusing on Choosing Respect.

Christmas Wellbeing Activities

16/12/24- 20/12/24

Our last week of term before Christmas is always a busy one, but we always try to fill it with some fun, wellbeing activities. 

Who let the Turkeys out??

To begin with the 'turkeys' were let loose again! The children love to chase them and are pretty good at catching them too. It's a great way for us all to have fun together and let off a bit of steam, though the turkeys usually need a sit down and a cup of tea afterwards.

Christmas Present Appeal

A HUGE thank you again for your generous donations for the Salvation Army Present Appeal. We were blown away with the gifts we received, which were greatly appreciated when we dropped them off. We really have made a huge difference to many children's lives.

Classroom Wellbeing Activities

In our classes, the children had the opportunity to decorate and colour their own Christmas Baubles. In each of the baubles, the children then wrote a wish. The children were so thoughtful and generous with their wishes, thinking of others and how to make the world a better place.

Academic Year 2023-2024

3/6/24/-9/6/24

Child Safety Week

The focus this year for Child Safety week is 'SAFETY. SORTED!' 

Child Safety Week is the Child Accident Prevention Trust’s annual community education campaign, acting as a catalyst for thousands of safety conversations and activities UK-wide.

It is there to help families build confidence and skills in managing the real risks to children’s safety, so that all children have the freedom to grow and learn, safe from serious harm. Families should feel confident that, with one small change, they can stop a serious accident. And be clear what they need to do to keep their children safe

The following website is full of useful information and resources - 

Child Safety Week | Child Accident Prevention Trust (capt.org.uk)

20/3/24

International Day of Happiness

In our classes, the children thought about all the things in life that they are grateful for and that make them feel happy. Each child wrote their own personal ideas onto a brightly coloured brick and then the wellbeing Ambassadors put all the bricks together to create our 'Wall of Gratitude' Please come and see what all our children are grateful for in the school hall windows.

2/2/24

Coffee and Connect Morning/Time to Talk Day - Mrs Tennant and the Wellbeing Ambassadors hosted a coffee morning, along with Rebecca Gale (School Chair of Governors and Governor for Wellbeing) and Mrs Ross to raise awareness of wellbeing in Hampsthwaitre Primary School and give our parents/carers an opportunity to connect and chat. It was a lovely morning and thank you to all who attended. Keep an eye out for our next 'C & C'!

5/2/24 - 9/2/24

Children's Mental Health Week

During the week the children took part in a range of activities and assemblies, looking at the ways we can look after our own Mental Health. The focus this year was, 'My Voice Matters'. The children built their confidence to share their ideas and listen to others with respect and interest.

6/2/24

Safer Internet Day

The theme this year was, “Inspiring change? Making a difference, managing influence and navigating change online”. 

9/2/24

'Express Yourself' Non-uniform Day

To celebrate the end of 'Children's Mental Health Week' we had a non-uniform day, where the children were invited to come to school in clothes which helped them to 'Express yourself!!' There was a range of bright and colourful outfits.

21/2/24

YGam - Parent workshop on Gaming and Gambling

A really informative session on gaming and gambling, looking at the range and risks children can be exposed to on a range of media. More information can be found on the Parent Hub at www.parents.ygam.org.

13/11/23/to/17/11/23

Anti-Bullying Week - we started off the week with 'Odd Socks Day', where all the children and staff came to school wearing odd socks to show that it's OK to be different! The Wellbeing Ambassadors held a design your own odd sock competition and we had some amazing entries. Through this we have raised £27.00, which will go towards buying resources to support wellbeing in school. 

Throughout the week children took part in a range of activities focusing on the theme for 'anti-bullying week' which was 'Make a noise about bullying'.

To end the week, we celebrated Children in Need, where our fabulous CTA ran events for all the children to enjoy.

10/10/23

World Mental Health Day - 'mental health is a universal human right’

The children came to school in 'yellow' as part of the #HelloYellow - Stand out and Show up campaign from Young Minds. It was lovely to see such bright colours in school and really helped us to focus on the important issue of the day - to look after our mental health.

In school we were joined by The Worry Wizard, who did workshops across the school, looking at ways the children can look after their own and their friends mental health.

29/9/23 and 5/10/23

National Teaching Assistants' Day and World Teacher Day

To celebrate and thank all of our wonderful teachers and TAs, the wellbeing ambassadors made 'Thank you' cards for them and delivered them around school with a little chocolate treat to enjoy with a cup of tea.

20/9/23

National Fitness Day - 'your health is for life'

The wellbeing ambassadors created a circuit of activities for all the classes to do in the hall. We had 'Brilliant Balancing', 'Marvellous Moves', 'Joyful Jumping' and 'Terrific Targets' It was a great morning of fun and fitness.

Academic Year 2022-2023

Safer Internet Day 8/2/23

All classes undertook a range of activities highlighting the importance of being safe online.

Time to Talk Day 2/2/23

In our classes, the children spent time talking and listening to each other. The importance of sharing our worries and concerns was the focus of the class discussions.

Make Your Dreams Come True Day 13/1/23

In classes, the children created displays of what their future dreams might be and how they can help themselves achieve them.

Anti-Bullying Week 14/11/22-18/11/22

To start the week, children and staff all came to school in odd socks to celebrate our uniqueness.  Mrs Ross led an assembly, focusing on bullying, what this can look like and the serious impact it can have on individuals.  Mrs Ross highlighted the key messages of 'Reaching Out' and being kind.  Every class continued with a range of activities throughout the week and which are embedded in our class values and ethos throughout the year.  

World Mental Health Day 10/10/22

The theme as 'Make mental health and wellbeing for all a global priority'  Children and staff came to school in clothes that made them feel happy and relaxed!  It was lovely to see so many bright colours and individual personalities.  In class, the children did various activities to deepen their understanding of and the importance of mental health and wellbeing for all. 

World Teacher Day 5/10/22

Our wonderful wellbeing ambassadors created cards for all staff, thanking them for their hardwork and dedication.  They also snuck in a few chocolate treats - always a winner with staff!

5 Ways to Wellbeing Competition

The Wellbeing Ambassadors launched a competition in school during a whole school wellbeing assembly, to design characters representing each of the 5 Ways to Wellbeing - Connect, Give, Keep Learning, Be Active and Take Notice.  Winners to be announced soon!

Wellbeing Assembly

Our Wellbeing Ambassadors hold a termly whole-school assembly, promoting different aspects of wellbeing in school and signposting external wellbeing activities too.  

Our termly edition of the Happy Times is written by our wonderful 'Wellbeing Ambassadors'. All editions are available to view on our website.

Reading to support Mental Health

We have recently revitalised our lovely library in Hampsthwaite school and as part of this, we offer a selection of books focused on Mental Health.  In our library sessions, the children have the chance to relax and reflect, with a book of their choice.  

The children are able to take books home with them, which cover many aspects of mental health and well-being and can be shared with adults at home - a great way to open up well-being conversations with your children at home.

Compass Buzz

Compass Buzz is an exciting, new, innovative and free project that aims to improve the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people aged 5-18 (25 with SEND) in schools across North Yorkshire.

All staff at Hampsthwaite have been trained at Level One standard with key staff completing Level Two, Three and Four training