Social, Emotional and Mental Health
At Gildersome Primary School we work towards positive Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) in the whole of our school community for adults as well as children. SEMH is delivered predominantly as part of the PSHE and SRE curriculum to all children as part of our Wave 1 provision. In addition, all children attend assemblies where there is a planned programme of whole school assemblies that address a wide range of topics as well as issues that may arise within the school, locally or nationally.
The school ethos is such that SEMH is everyone's responsibility and children are encouraged to talk to whoever they feel they can trust e.g. a friend, class teacher, teaching assistant etc. We have a Worry Box in school and children are reminded to share their feelings and that their comments will be treated sensitively. The school also has a Well-Being team that consists of Mr Wright (Learning Mentor), Ms Ilott (Inclusion Leader), and the children are regularly reminded that these are adults that they can talk to.
Where specific issues arise that the class teacher feels they would like more support with, the child can be referred to Ms Ilott or Mr Wright. They will then work with the child for a period of time usually with the involvement of the Inclusion Manager and parents. Ms Ilott also runs a lego club and friendship groups where children may be having problems interacting with their peer group. These have been highly successful. Nurture groups are run with selected groups of children where it is felt this will improve their social and emotional well-being.
If it is felt appropriate a referral to CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) may be made by Ms Ilott.
Useful links
Cluster of Morley, Ardsley & Tingley Children's Services - new website under development
Morley, Drighlington and Gildersome Children's Centre
Elephants Tea Party - Child Bereavement UK
Winston Wish - supporting children with bereavement