Through assemblies, circle time and PSHE lessons children gain knowledge, skills and understanding to lead confident, healthy and independent lives whilst becoming informed, active and responsible citizens. Children are encouraged to think deeply, share ideas openly and reflect upon the choices they will make and how these will affect others.

“SEMH in this school is outstanding and is embedded throughout all practice an policies” (Healthy Schools Audit January 2020)

Mental Health & Wellbeing Vision Statement

At White Laith, as a school community, we are committed to providing a psychologically safe environment which is free from stigma and shame, in which everyone in our school community can grow and thrive.

We promote a deep sense of belonging, mutual respect and through this we help build resilience so that everyone in our community can develop the skills needed to cope with challenge and adversity.

We acknowledge that everyone in our community (pupils, staff, parents and carers) will face adversities at different points in their lives and we are committed to shaping our school environment to support all; knowing that strong relationships and a sense of belonging can make a fundamental difference to pupils, staff, parents and carers in the present and beyond.

We understand the explicit link between wellbeing and attainment and seek opportunities to promote wellbeing daily in order to raise the attainment of all of our pupils.

PSHE - Personal, Social and Health education

PSHE education can be defined as a planned programme of learning through which children and young people acquire the knowledge, understanding and skills they need to manage their lives, now and in the future.

As part of a whole school approach, PSHE education develops the qualities and attributes pupils need to thrive as individuals, family members and members of society.

The benefits to pupils of such an approach are numerous as PSHE prepares them to manage many of the most critical opportunities, challenges and responsibilities they will face growing up in such rapidly changing and challenging times. It also helps them to connect and apply the knowledge and understanding they learn in all subjects to practical, real-life situations while helping them to feel safe and secure enough to fulfil their academic potential.

DATE - Drug, alcohol and tobacco education

Drugs, alcohol and tobacco education is taught as part of our PSHE curriculum. The activities are specifically designed to be ‘age-appropriate’ and are progressive so that children’s knowledge broadens and increases as they move through school.

rse - relationships and sex Education

We aim to develop in our pupils an understanding of the biological, emotional, social, legal and moral aspects of sex and sexuality. We teach RSE within the wider context of building self-esteem, emotional well-being, relationships and healthy lives beginning in year 1 through to year 6. The relationships and sex education curriculum will include:

• the discussion of attitudes and values

• the development of a range of personal and social skills

• the provision of factual information and the development of the understanding of it

Issues associated with keeping safe, eg The NSPCC Pants Rule, are embedded within and thread through all topics.

SEMH - Social, emotional and mental health

As part of the PSHE curriculum we  teach pupils about Social, Emotional and Mental Health. We do this using the MindMate lessons which have been developed here in Leeds by teachers and mental health experts working together. The lessons have been funded by the South Leeds Clinical Commissioning Group as part of the Future in Mind programme. 1 in 4 adults and 1 in 10 children will suffer mental health problems at some time in their life.

The lessons are contemporary and interactive and will help pupils:

* understand their own feelings

* understand the emotions and mental heal needs of others

* ask for help when necessary

* support their friends and families to be mentally well

* reduce the stigma associated with mental health

There will be lots of interesting things for pupils to do. There will be clear ground rules to ensure that pupils are comfortable with the subject matter and all lessons have been created to be age appropriate.