Our Aims

Oak Green School aims to promote positive mental health and wellbeing for our whole school community: pupils, staff and parents. We recognise that mental health and emotional wellbeing is just as important as physical health. 

The World Health Organisation defines mental health and wellbeing as “a state of wellbeing in which every individual realises his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.”

Our Wellbeing Team

We are very fortunate to have Mrs Ellerby, our full time Nurture, Wellbeing and Mental Health Lead here at Oak Green School. 

Our wellbeing team also includes:

Mrs Waring - Family Support Manager

Mrs Bernaldo - Family Support Worker

Mrs Pellegrini - Family Support Worker

Miss Hodge - Pupil and Family Support Assistant

Mrs Wilkins - ELSA/EBSA/Medical Lead

Our wonderful team of Peer Mentors. 

We are incredibly proud to have a group of Peer Mentors within our Wellbeing Team. Our Peer Mentors were selected by teachers because they have the right skills and attitude to helping others. 

The roles and duties of the Peer Mentors includes:

• Being a listening ear for other students
• Being on duty outside on the playground during lunch times
• Being a mental health ambassador within the school
• Creating promotional posters and speaking in assemblies about the service
• Passing on any worries to a designated adult in school

The Peer Mentors received mental health awareness training from Buckinghamshire Mind, covering what mental health is, what positively and negatively impacts our mental health, mental health in the media, the role of the Peer Mentor as well as safeguarding and confidentiality. 

Peer Mentors are trained to ensure that:

• They know exactly what to do should they be told something they find worrying
• If they are unsure, or want to talk to someone about something they’ve discussed, they can talk to the Peer Mentor Coordinator (Mrs Ellerby), class teacher or other safe adult in school
• They should not share any of their discussions with students or friends in or out of school

Look out for the Peer Mentors around school - they will be wearing Peer Mentor badges and when on duty on the playground, they will be wearing blue tabards. 

Supporting Wellbeing and Mental Health In School

If children are in good health mentally and physically, they are better able to cope with the challenges of teaching and when they feel positive, they are more open to new ideas, creativity and change, making them more present and effective in the classroom. Our role in school is to ensure that all children are able to manage times of change and stress, be resilient, are supported to reach their potential and have access to help when they need it. 

All pupils at Oak Green School learn about what they can do to maintain positive mental health, what affects their mental health, how they can reduce the stigma surrounding mental health issues and where they can go if they need help and support. 

Wellbeing and Mental Health for Children

Things that can help children stay mentally well include:

• Being in good physical health, eating a balanced diet, getting regular exercise and seeking medical and dental help when needed.
• Having time and freedom to play, indoors and outdoors.
• Being part of a family that gets on well most of the time.
• Going to school - we take great care to look after the wellbeing of our pupils.
• Taking part in local activities for young people.

Further advice can be found below.

Mental Health websites for children:

ChildLine - Calm Zone

https://www.childline.org.uk/toolbox/calm-zone/

BBC Bitesize - Kindness 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zhkybdm

Relax Kids - http://www.relaxkids.com/

7 ways to calm CBEEBIES - 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/cbeebies/joinin/seven-techniques-for-helping-kids-keep-calm

Cosmic Kids - 

https://www.cosmickids.com/

What is anxiety? - https://www.priorygroup.com/media/594863/understanding-childhood-anxiety-v1.jpg

Youth Sport Trust Active Minds - Rachael M

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmStXmKpqL0&feature=youtu.be

To share with children who may have OCD traits: