Emotional wellbeing

Emotional wellbeing and mental health at the Moonstone Academy.

IN THIS SECTION

PASTORAL ETHOS

EMOTIONAL WELLBEING

SAFEGUARDING

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

HOUSE SYSTEM

PREVENT STRATEGY

At Moonstone Academy, we are unwavering in our dedication to fostering a positive environment for emotional wellbeing and mental health, benefiting both our students and staff. We are convinced that supporting mental health is crucial in helping each student feel confident and secure within themselves, creating the foundation for them to truly thrive during their time with us. By prioritizing emotional wellbeing, we equip our students to overcome life’s challenges, unlock their full academic and personal potential, and actively contribute to both the school and the larger community.

A Whole-Academy Approach
Our approach to emotional wellbeing is school-wide, engaging all members of our community—students, parents, teachers, and support staff—in the shared responsibility of building a supportive, inclusive atmosphere. By placing a high priority on mental health, we ensure a strong foundation where teaching and learning can excel, and everyone feels valued and connected. This unified leadership across the academy supports the implementation of practical emotional health strategies, making them a natural part of our daily routines and practices.

Pastoral Program
Our pastoral program plays a vital role in supporting the emotional and social growth of our students. It includes the following components:

Whole school assemblies: These assemblies are designed to bring the entire school community together to discuss key themes related to emotional wellbeing, celebrate achievements, and reinforce our school values.
Year-Specific Assemblies:
Designed to meet the unique needs of each year group, these assemblies focus on age-appropriate topics and provide guidance to students as they continue their personal growth and development.
Form Time Activities:
Every day, form time activities are structured to help students build meaningful relationships, increase self-awareness, and learn how to manage their emotions. Led by form tutors, these activities are essential for the emotional support of our students.

Pastoral Support Team
Our committed pastoral support team includes a range of staff members who work collaboratively to ensure students receive the best care and support:

Heads of Learning & Assistant Heads of Learning
These key leaders oversee the pastoral care within their year groups, ensuring that every student is provided with the necessary support to thrive.
Pastoral Support Officers
These officers offer tailored support to students, working closely with families and external agencies to ensure individual needs are met.
Form Tutors
Serving as the first point of contact for students, form tutors provide daily support, encourage positive connections, and monitor the emotional wellbeing of students in their care.
School Counsellors
Our experienced counsellors offer professional mental health support, creating a safe and confidential space for students to explore and address their emotional challenges.

Collaboration and Support
At Moonstone Academy, we work closely with local community and healthcare services to provide our students with essential mental health support. These partnerships ensure students have access to the resources needed to manage their emotional wellbeing.

Curriculum and Early Support
We focus on building resilience and early intervention, using our PSHE and RSE programs to equip students with skills to manage emotions and develop life skills. These lessons, embedded throughout the curriculum, promote open discussions on mental health and reduce stigma.

Building Social and Emotional Skills
At Moonstone Academy, we believe that skills such as resilience, self-awareness, and building relationships are essential for student success. These skills are cultivated through engaging lessons, focused programs, and tailored interventions. Our goal is to provide students with the tools they need to thrive both academically and personally, laying a strong foundation for their future wellbeing.

By fostering emotional wellbeing in this way, Moonstone Academy is dedicated to helping every student grow into a well-rounded, confident individual, equipped to face challenges with resilience and a positive outlook.

Our Vision: Inspired to Flourish

Our school is dedicated to fostering a supportive and healthy environment that prioritizes the mental wellbeing of students, staff, and parents/carers. Understanding the link between emotional health and achievement, we aim to create a space where everyone feels valued, supported, and empowered.

By embedding wellbeing into all areas of school life, we enhance student engagement, performance, and growth, helping all individuals reach their full potential.

With a whole-school approach, we provide consistent support and intervention to maintain positive mental health for everyone.

Raising Awareness: Mental health is an essential and visible aspect of daily life at our school, with a shared understanding of its significance.
Proactive Support: We take early action to identify and address mental health concerns, ensuring timely and appropriate assistance.
Comprehensive Care: Our initiatives are tailored to meet the varied needs of our community, providing access to the right resources and support.
Fostering Resilience: We guide students in recognizing their emotions, boosting self-esteem, building resilience, and overcoming challenges.
Community Involvement: We encourage active participation from parents, students, and staff in open dialogues about emotional wellbeing, creating a culture of transparency and shared support.

By embedding these principles into our policies, practices, and daily interactions, we ensure that emotional wellbeing and mental health are at the heart of our academy’s mission and values. Our commitment guarantees that every member of our community feels supported, valued, and empowered to thrive.

Wellbeing Recognition for Academies

We are excited to announce that Moonstone Academy has signed up for the Wellbeing Award for Schools, developed by Optimus Education in partnership with the National Children’s Bureau (NCB). This award strengthens our commitment to mental health and emotional wellbeing for both students and staff, embedding it into the academy’s culture and prioritizing it in every aspect of school life.

Our Dedication to Wellbeing
The Wellbeing Award presents an opportunity to enhance our mental health practices, ensuring emotional wellbeing is a collective responsibility within our community. In working towards this award, we will demonstrate how mental health is embedded into every part of school life, from early detection of concerns to personalized support that addresses the specific needs of students and staff.

Inclusive Participation
The award process calls for the active involvement of the entire school community—students, staff, and parents—in recognizing the significance of mental health. We will seek their input and use their perspectives to inform and shape our approach, ensuring that our strategies are inclusive and reflect the diverse voices within our school.

Assessment Goals
Our efforts will be evaluated across eight key objectives that assess our commitment to wellbeing, the effectiveness of our mental health initiatives, and the impact of our curricular and pastoral provisions. We will collect feedback from both students and parents to ensure our approach is thorough and responsive to the needs of our community.

Building on Our Strengths
Pursuing the Wellbeing Award will allow us to further build on our current strengths in mental health support while refining areas that require improvement. This recognition will not only acknowledge the excellent work already in place but also drive continuous growth to ensure Moonstone Academy is a place where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

Through this initiative, we reaffirm our commitment to fostering a school culture where emotional wellbeing is prioritized, enabling both students and staff to excel academically and personally. We look forward to the positive impact this journey will bring to our academy community.

The Role of Parents/Carers in Supporting Emotional Wellbeing & Mental Health at ACADEMY

Promote Honest Conversations: Keep the lines of communication open with your child/young person, ensuring regular check-ins to detect any potential emotional or mental health issues.

Listen with Understanding: Provide a non-judgmental ear, allowing your child/young person to freely express themselves in a supportive atmosphere.

Engage with the School Community: Work alongside school staff by offering feedback and suggestions on wellbeing programs, helping create a nurturing and collaborative learning environment.

Create a Positive Atmosphere: Establish a home environment that emphasizes emotional wellbeing.

Encourage Healthy Balance: Support your child/young person in balancing academic demands with downtime and activities to prevent burnout.

Educate Yourself on Mental Health: Gain an understanding of mental health indicators and the resources available to provide support.

Participate in Mental Health Training: Attend workshops or seminars to deepen your knowledge and improve your ability to assist your child/young person.

Support Their Academic and Emotional Journey: Learn about the school curriculum and be aware of potential challenges your child/young person may face, including stress or social challenges.

Engage with School Initiatives: Actively support and participate in mental wellbeing programs, such as mental health awareness campaigns or events.

Contribute and Get Involved: Volunteer for mental health-related activities, attend extracurricular school events, and connect with staff through parent-teacher associations to build a supportive community.

Spot Stress: Stay aware of signs of stress, like shifts in mood or behavior, and seek help if needed.

Engage with School Staff: Consistently communicate with teachers and counselors to stay informed about your child/young person’s development and any potential issues.

Model Self-Care: Highlight the importance of self-care by practicing healthy habits and using effective coping strategies.

Promote Resilience: Support your child/young person in building resilience by attending workshops or programs that focus on mental health, stress management, and behavioral techniques.

Trust the Academy’s Judgments: Trust that the academy acts in the best interest of your child/young person, especially when it comes to decisions about emotional wellbeing and behaviour. Engage in conversations with the academy to better understand their approach.

Support and Align with Academy Decisions: Support the academy’s choices regarding emotional wellbeing and behaviour, and assist your child/young person in understanding these decisions to ensure a consistent and unified approach.

Trust the Academy’s Judgments: Trust that the academy acts in the best interest of your child/young person, especially when it comes to decisions about emotional wellbeing and behaviour. Engage in conversations with the academy to better understand their approach.

Support and Align with Academy Decisions: Support the academy’s choices regarding emotional wellbeing and behaviour, and assist your child/young person in understanding these decisions to ensure a consistent and unified approach.

Discuss Concerns Privately: Avoid voicing negative opinions about the academy in front of your child/young person. If issues arise, address them privately with the academy in a thoughtful and respectful manner.

Lead by Example: Show respect toward the academy to highlight the importance of cooperation and mutual respect in maintaining a positive relationship.

By implementing these strategies, parents and carers can contribute to creating an emotionally supportive environment that supports both the academic and personal growth of their child/young person. The partnership between home and academy plays a vital role in ensuring long-term mental wellbeing and academic achievement for all students.

Nurturing Your Child’s Emotional Wellbeing

This section provides parents, carers, and guardians with valuable guidance, resources, and support to help children and young people cope with emotional challenges. It features insights from trusted organizations such as the Mind, YouthMinds, and the Tropical Society Trust.

Recognizing the Challenges
The past few years have introduced significant pressures for families, including the COVID-19 pandemic, social changes, and academic expectations. These challenges can affect children and young people in various ways, such as:

Feeling anxious or distressed about school, friendships, or family matters.
Struggling to cope with changes, loss, or uncertainty.
Facing low self-esteem, withdrawal, or noticeable shifts in behavior.

It’s essential to understand that while many children may cope with support from family and friends, some might need extra help to overcome persistent challenges that impact their daily lives.

Ten Practical Tips for Supporting a Child or Young Person’s Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health
Helping a child or young person with their emotional wellbeing can be challenging, but simple, thoughtful steps can lead to meaningful improvements. Here are ten practical tips to assist you:

Acknowledge and Empathize with Their Emotions
Recognize their feelings without criticism. Take the time to understand what they’re going through and offer reassurance with statements like, “It’s completely normal to feel this way.”
Create a Supportive Space for Communication
Encourage open conversations by offering a peaceful, non-judgmental atmosphere. Give them your full attention, listening without interruption, so they feel valued and understood.
Set Clear Structure and Routine
Establishing regular patterns for sleep, meals, and activities helps create a sense of stability and security, especially in times of uncertainty.
Engage in Uplifting Activities
Incorporate activities that support mental wellbeing, such as outdoor walks, creative projects, or hobbies your child loves. These activities can offer positive distractions and help you bond.
Foster Positive Coping Strategies
Guide your child in finding constructive ways to cope with stress, such as mindfulness, connecting with friends, or pursuing hobbies. Encourage these activities on a regular basis.
Observe for Warning Signs
Keep an eye out for shifts in behavior, like withdrawal, mood swings, or frequent physical symptoms such as headaches. These may point to underlying issues that need to be addressed.
Seek Professional Help When Needed
If symptoms persist or intensify, reach out to your child’s GP or health visitor, as well as the school’s pastoral support team, which includes pastoral leads (Senior Assistant Headteacher – Care, Guidance & Support, Assistant Headteacher – Behaviour, Attendance & Enrichment), SENCO, Heads of Learning, Assistant Heads of Learning, the Sixth Form Emotional Wellbeing Officer, form tutors, school counsellors, and pastoral support officers for KS3/KS4 and KS5. Additionally, consider accessing local mental health services such as CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services).
Make Time to Connect
Engage in meaningful activities with your child that they enjoy. Whether it’s playing games, walking, or cooking together, these moments help strengthen your bond and foster open communication.
Take Care of Yourself
Ensure that you prioritize your own mental and emotional wellbeing. When you are in a healthy place, you’ll be better able to support your child through their struggles.
Stay Hopeful
Keep an optimistic perspective, even when facing challenges. Encourage your child by reminding them that things will improve and that they are not alone. Your hope can offer comfort and reassurance.

These practical steps, based on the insights of parents, carers, and experts, offer valuable guidance. Remember, each child is unique, so it’s important to take the time to find what works for them. If necessary, seek professional support and move forward at a pace that feels right.

When urgent help is needed

If your child’s safety is at risk and immediate help is required, call 999 or go to the nearest A&E.
For urgent mental health concerns, contact your local 24-hour helpline or dial 111 to reach NHS services.

What to do if your child doesn’t want to talk

If your child isn’t ready to talk, it can be tough, but there are several supportive ways to help encourage them to communicate:

Give them reassurance: Let your child know it’s perfectly fine if they’re not ready to talk. Remind them that you’re always here for them when they feel comfortable.
Encourage other ways of expressing: Suggest alternatives like writing, texting, or drawing to help them express their feelings if speaking feels too hard.
Pick a calm time: Wait for a moment when your child is relaxed and open to conversation, as forcing a discussion during stressful times may cause them to shut down.
Use shared activities: Engage in activities they enjoy, like walking or doing crafts together, which can create a more natural and relaxed setting for them to open up.
Be patient and attentive: Even if they’re silent, continue to watch for non-verbal signs and be ready to offer support when they feel ready to communicate.

What to do if your child tells you they’re struggling

When your child confides in you about their struggles, it’s important to respond with empathy and understanding:

Acknowledge their emotions: Let your child know that their feelings are valid and it’s okay to experience them. You might say, “I understand why you’re feeling this way.”
Offer comfort: Remind your child that they are not alone and that you’ll work together to navigate through their challenges. Assure them that their feelings will pass and help is always available.
Express gratitude for their openness: Appreciate their courage in sharing their struggles. Reassure them by saying, “I’m grateful you trusted me with this. I’m here to support you.”
Ask what they need: Instead of assuming, ask them directly, “What would make you feel better?” or “Is there something I can do right now to help?”
Look into the source: Talk about what might be behind their struggles, such as school pressures, friendship issues, or other changes. Understanding the root cause can help you find solutions together
Recognize when professional help is needed: If their struggles seem serious or ongoing, consider reaching out to a GP or school support team, such as pastoral leads or counselors. Early intervention can be critical.
Check in after the conversation: Make sure to follow up and show that you’re still there for them. Checking in regularly lets them know you care.
Choose the right moment for important conversations: Don’t try to address sensitive topics during high-stress moments. Wait until they’re calm, as trying to have deep discussions in the heat of the moment can be difficult.

Responding with understanding and actively listening can create a meaningful difference. Keep in mind that if your child’s needs extend beyond what you can provide at home, professional assistance is available to support you.

Focus on your own well-being :
Taking care of yourself helps you provide better support for your child. Ensure you set aside time to refresh and don’t hesitate to ask for help if you’re feeling overburdened.

Keep in mind: You are not alone :
Parenting through emotional hurdles can be challenging, but support is always there. By fostering honest communication, cultivating a supportive environment, and seeking help when necessary, you’re already making a meaningful difference in your child’s life.

Further Resources for Parents/Carers and Students

While we offer comprehensive internal support, we understand that some students and families may prefer to seek help from external agencies. To assist, we have compiled a list of local and national organizations that provide valuable guidance and support.

This link includes helplines and websites, organized for easy access. Our goal is to ensure that students receive the appropriate care through professional support channels.

For further information and to access the resources, please see the document below: