Mental Health & Wellbeing

At Winshill Village Primary School, we place the wellbeing of our pupils, families, and staff at the heart of everything we do. We recognise that good mental health is just as important as physical health, and we are committed to creating a safe, supportive environment where everyone feels valued and listened to. Through our curriculum, pastoral support, and strong partnerships with families and external agencies, we aim to nurture resilience, promote positive relationships, and equip our children with the skills they need to look after their mental health now and in the future.

We encourage children to talk openly about their feelings and provide opportunities for them to share worries through trusted adults and our wellbeing initiatives in school. A key part of this is our use of the Zones of Regulation, a whole-school approach that helps children recognise and understand their emotions, learn strategies to regulate them, and develop greater self-awareness and resilience. Our staff are trained to recognise and support the social, emotional, and mental health needs of pupils, ensuring that children feel understood and supported throughout their time with us. We also celebrate the importance of healthy lifestyles, mindfulness, and positive choices, helping children to develop coping strategies and confidence in themselves.

Parents and carers are key partners in this work, and we aim to keep communication open and supportive. We provide information, advice, and signposting to specialist services where needed, ensuring that families feel they are never facing challenges alone. Together, we strive to build a caring school community where kindness, respect, and wellbeing are at the centre of daily life.

ELSA - Emotional Literacy Support

What is ELSA?

At Winshill Village Primary School, we know that some children face life challenges that can affect their ability to learn and thrive. While all children need support with their emotional wellbeing, some may require a little extra help to develop their emotional literacy. ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant) is a programme developed and supported by educational psychologists. It is based on the belief that children learn more effectively and are happier in school when their emotional needs are recognised and supported.

Most ELSA sessions are delivered on a one-to-one basis, but small group work may also be used, particularly to develop social and friendship skills. Sessions are designed to be fun and engaging, using a variety of activities such as games, role-play, arts and crafts, or mindfulness techniques. At Winshill, these sessions take place in our dedicated ELSA room – a calm, safe space where children feel supported and nurtured by our trained ELSAs, Miss Bradley and Miss Allsopp.

Our ELSA support covers a wide range of emotional needs, including:

• Recognising and managing emotions

• Anxiety

• Self-esteem and confidence

• Social skills

• Building and maintaining friendships

• Anger management

• Loss and bereavement

How does ELSA work?

Children can be referred for ELSA support by their class teacher, a senior leader, or our SENDCo. Once identified, children are usually offered a programme of support lasting around 6–8 weeks, tailored to their individual needs. The aim is to help them build new skills and coping strategies so they can manage social and emotional demands more effectively.

It is important to note that ELSA is not about “fixing” problems. Instead, it provides children with emotional support, helping them feel listened to and understood. Our ELSAs work hard to build warm, trusting relationships with pupils and create a reflective space where children feel safe to share their thoughts and feelings.

We also recognise that change takes time and that some children may have more complex or long-term needs. In these cases, ELSA intervention can focus on specific areas of support, but we may also work with parents to make referrals for specialist help such as play therapy, counselling, or CAMHS. Our school’s Educational Psychologist provides regular supervision for our ELSAs and offers advice where additional support may be needed.

At Winshill Village Primary, our commitment to emotional wellbeing is at the heart of what we do, ensuring that every child feels valued, supported, and ready to learn.

Mental Health First Aider

At Winshill Village Primary School, we are proud to have Lydia Howard as our trained Mental Health First Aider. A Mental Health First Aider is someone who has received specialist training to understand the factors that affect mental health, recognise the signs and symptoms of different conditions, and provide initial support to someone who may be experiencing difficulties. Their role is not to diagnose or replace professional help, but to listen, offer reassurance, and guide individuals towards appropriate support when needed. In addition to this, Lydia has also completed her Senior Mental Health Lead Training through Creative Education, funded by the Department for Education (DfE), further strengthening our school’s commitment to placing mental health and wellbeing at the heart of everything we do.

Senior Mental Health Lead Training Certificate - Lydia Howard