Your family wellbeing is very important to us and we aim to help and support you in whichever way we can through these uncertain times. We have put together a number of resources to help support you. We hope you find them useful.
Mental Health and Wellbeing Support at St. Anne’s Catholic Primary School
At St. Anne’s Catholic Primary School, we take mental health and wellbeing seriously, recognising the complexities involved and the ongoing challenges that pupils and their families may face. We are committed to fostering a calm, safe, and supportive environment where all pupils feel valued, confident, and ready to learn.
Support Available During School Hours
When school is open and running normally, pupils and families have access to a range of support mechanisms to help with mental health and wellbeing concerns. Our Wellbeing Team is available to provide guidance, support, and signposting to appropriate services.
If you would like to speak to a member of the school Wellbeing Team, please contact us on:
Phone: 0151 477 8260 and ask for a member of the Wellbeing Team.
Our administration staff are available in school between 7:30am and 4:30pm to take messages and ensure your queries reach the right person promptly.
Support Outside School Hours or for Urgent Concerns
If you or someone you know needs urgent mental health support, please consider the following trusted resources:
- Young Minds: A charity dedicated to supporting children and families with mental health challenges. Visit youngminds.org.uk for information and support.
- Think Wellbeing (Knowsley):Provides free NHS therapy for common mental health issues such as anxiety and depression. More information is available at nhs.uk/think-wellbeing-knowsley.
- Mind: Offers advice and support to empower anyone experiencing mental health problems. Visit mind.org.uk for resources and guidance.
Ongoing Wellbeing Guidance
We continue to follow the latest government and health guidance on mental health and wellbeing, including support related to the ongoing impacts of COVID-19 and other challenges. For up-to-date advice, please refer to the UK Government’s mental health and wellbeing guidance here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-the-public-on-mental-health-and-wellbeing/guidance-for-the-public-on-the-mental-health-and-wellbeing-aspects-of-coronavirus-covid-19
Mindfulness
At St. Anne’s Catholic Primary School, we believe that Mindfulness is an essential skill that supports the well-being, focus, and personal development of all our pupils. Mindfulness practice helps children to slow down, pay full attention to the present moment, and develop resilience in both school and home learning environments.
What is Mindfulness?
Mindfulness means paying full, calm attention to what you are doing right now. It involves slowing down and noticing your thoughts, feelings, and surroundings without rushing or multitasking. Being mindful helps pupils to focus in a relaxed and thoughtful way, which enhances their learning and emotional well-being.
Why Mindfulness Matters
Research shows that pupils’ attention spans are limited and easily distracted, especially in today’s world of instant digital gratification. Mindfulness helps pupils to:
- Improve focus and attention by reducing distractions
- Develop better self-regulation and metacognitive skills, such as planning, monitoring, and evaluating their learning
- Stay calm and manage stress effectively
- Enhance listening skills and patience
- Feel happier and more able to enjoy everyday experiences
By supporting pupils to be mindful, we help them to engage more deeply with their learning and develop important life skills that will benefit them beyond school.
How We Support Mindfulness at St. Anne’s
- We embed Mindfulness practises and metacognitive strategies into classroom routines to help pupils manage their attention and emotions.
- Teachers model mindful thinking to encourage pupils to reflect on their learning and behaviour.
- We create calm and peaceful learning environments that support concentration and well-being.
- We work closely with parents and carers to encourage Mindfulness at home, recognising its role in supporting positive attendance and mental health.
Useful Mindfulness Resources for Families
We encourage families to explore Mindfulness together using these trusted resources:
- Every Mind Matters(NHS): https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/– Practical tips for mental health and well-being.
- Cosmic Kids Yoga: https://www.cosmickids.com/– Fun yoga and mindfulness videos for children.
- Headspace for Kids: https://www.headspace.com/meditation/kids– Guided mindfulness and meditation exercises tailored for young learners.
- Mindful.org: https://www.mindful.org/– Articles and resources on mindfulness practises for all ages.
- Smiling Mind: https://www.smilingmind.com.au/– Free mindfulness meditation app designed for children and families.
Sleep
Sleep plays an important role in good health and wellbeing throughout your life. Adults need around 8 hours sleep a night and children often need more.
The way you feel while you’re awake is partly dependent on what happens while you’re sleeping. During sleep, your body is working to support healthy brain function and maintain your physical health. In children and teens, sleep also helps support growth and development. Ensuring that you get the right amount of high quality sleep at the right times can help protect your mental and physical health, quality of life, and safety.
Establishing a good night routine for the whole family has a positive impact on the quality of sleep. Tips for establishing a good night sleep for the whole family include:
- Try to go to bed at the same time each night
- Limit food and drink consumption before bedtime
- Switch off electronic devices about an hour before bedtime
- Read a book or try one of our mindfulness activities before sleeping
If you or anyone in your family has trouble sleeping, consider listening to a sleep story or meditation off one of the various Apps available to download.