The mental health and wellbeing of all #Crew members at Discovery is fundamental to our philosophy and ethos of being ‘dreamers, believers and achievers’. We all have mental health, and it is important students learn how to maintain good mental health and wellbeing.

Research indicates that poor mental health can significantly undermine educational attainment. It has been observed that a considerable number of students with emotional and conduct disorders tend to fall behind academically, often missing school or facing exclusion. Alarmingly, one in ten children and young people aged 5 to 16 have a clinically diagnosed mental health disorder, while around one in seven face less severe challenges. It is therefore vital that, together, we create a supportive environment that nurtures the mental health and wellbeing of our #DiscoveryCrew community.

Supporting students:

Mental health and wellbeing is a very varied and complex area and there are no quick-fixed solutions. Maintaining every day, regular routines wherever possible, such as, attending school and lessons whilst managing mental health is key. The school offers a range of services to help students develop positive mental health and wellbeing and support those experiencing mental health issues. These are:

• Class teams, as well as the well-being team, are well-placed to spot changes in behaviour that might indicate a problem and offer support and guidance. Many things can cause a change in mental health, including traumatic events (e.g. loss or separation, life changes, abuse, domestic violence or bullying).
• Personal Development curriculum includes mental health and wellbeing topics within PSHE, in order to raise awareness and understanding and provide strategies for developing positive emotional health and wellbeing and managing mental health.
• Personal Development has the flexibility to focus on developing children’s resilience, confidence, and ability to learn.
• The Wellbeing Team lead on mental health and wellbeing across the school, offering support, guidance and targeted intervention.
• Mindfulness is encouraged and students have access to the calm app, as well as a range of mindfulness exercises. 
• Constructive links with outside support and specialist agencies (e.g., Unravel, MAST, CAMHS) to provide interventions for those with mental health problems.

 

At Discovery, students also have access to:

Referrals:

Any member of staff, student, parents/carers concerned about the mental health and wellbeing of a student should speak to the student’s class teacher about their concerns. They will monitor and support them, and refer to the Wellbeing Team and/or outside agencies as appropriate.

Our wellbeing team consists of:

Designated Safeguarding Lead: Clare Hodgkinson

Designated Safeguarding Deputies: Jo Higgins and Courtney Bell (Mat Leave)

Behaviour Lead: Emma Bennett

 

Supporting family mental health 

We recognise that many of our families have challenges concerning their own mental health that may or may not affect their child. We also recognise that parenting a child or young person can be challenging, given our children have additional needs this can put an additional strain on families in terms of worrying and feeling isolated. We use the following strategies to support these families - 

• Parent Coffee Mornings to informally introduce different external agencies and empower families with knowledge about their child's diagnosis. 
• Offer families a Discovery pupil file whereby they can be supported to keep official documentation in, this stops the feeling of being overwhelmed that families often report to us.
• Offer parent champions who can give 1-1 support for families. 
• Educational Psychologist drop in sessions. 
• Friends of Discovery Academy meetings to fundraise and organise events to prevent isolation for families. 
• Social events including Pie, Pea and Bingo sessions held within the safety of the school itself. 
• Offer support for families wellbeing at external appointments. 
• Signpost families to external agencies. 
• Offer a uniform shop and clothing / Food bank for those families who are struggling financially. 

Supporting staff mental health 

We have an extensive staff wellbeing offer within the school and the trust some of which are evidenced below - 

• Offer the CALM app free of charge including 5 licenses for staff members families. 
• Wellbeing matters newsletter
• Westfield Health employee programme. 
• Free counselling service
• Free online sessions with MIND. 
• 'Secret Friend'; every staff member has a secret friend, who drops off gifts and messages of support throughout the year.
• The 'Wellbeing Warriors' Mandate Group, to support work load and policy changes. 
• Dedicated mental health trained staff. 
• Financial wellbeing resources. 
• Staff social club who have taken part in events such as wreath making
• Free hospitality and wellbeing offer in the staffroom daily. 
• Wellness action plan for staff who identify they may suffer with their own mental health. 
• Mindfulness training. 
• Fitness classes within school including yoga and dance. 
• A weekly positive pants nomination scheme. 
• Future plans include the introduction of a school gym for staff to use before and after school, free of charge.

Useful Links for Mental Health and Wellbeing: