At St Thomas More, we know our mental health and wellbeing is just as important as our physical health.  In our school, we learn about how important it is to talk about our feelings and emotions.  We know that everyone experiences life challenges that can make us vulnerable and, at times, anyone may need additional emotional support.

This is why we have been awarded the Mental Health Champion Award and the Healthy School Award by the Gloucestershire Healthy Living and Learning (GHLL) team!

We are also part of the GHLL Young Minds Matter programme.  As a Young Minds Matter school, we are working with statutory healthcare providers who will be delivering mental health service delivery to pupils within our School.  Teachers and school staff work with a team of Education Mental Health Practitioners to identify children with emerging mental health needs, as part of a whole school approach to mental health and wellbeing.  This could be support for building friendships, resilience or self-esteem, for example.  

Pupil Voice

My school really cares about me and how I am feeling.

I know this because:

‘My teachers show me by helping me if I fall over, with my work and when I’m feeling sad or angry’

‘My teachers ask me if I am okay when I am feeling sad’.

If needed, I would feel comfortable talking about how I am feeling at school.

‘'I feel comfortable talking to anyone in our school about how I am feeling’

‘I know I can go into the corridor or for a walk around and the adult will listen to my worries’

‘I can go to the Nurture room if I need a quiet space to go and talk’.

My teachers know when I am feeling worried or unhappy.

I know this because:

‘They ask me how I’m feeling’

‘We can always talk to our teachers’.

Connect - Good relationships are important for your mental wellbeing.  It is good to feel close to, and valued, by other people.

Be Active - Regular physical exercise has been scientifically proven to make us feel better and improve our emotional wellbeing. 

Take notice - Paying more attention to the present moment can improve your mental wellbeing. This includes your thoughts and feelings, your body and the world around you.  This is also called 'mindfulness'.

Give - Research has found a link between doing good things and an increase in wellbeing.  It creates positive feelings and a sense of reward as well as giving you a feeling of purpose and self-worth

Keep Learning - Learning new things is a good way to boost our self confidence, which in turn improves our mental health and wellbeing.  It is also a good way to meet new people and connect!