Here at Milldown, the wellbeing of the whole school community is important to us, we have dedicated staff and governors who care about the physical and mental wellness of our children, staff and parents.  All staff are emotionally available for children and parents so if you have any concerns please talk to one of us.

At Milldown CE Academy, using our Wellbeing Strategy, we aim to create a supportive, inclusive and nurturing environment, where every member of the school community can flourish, thriving emotionally, mentally and physically, by: creating a sense of belonging that promotes positive mental health and wellbeing; equipping students and staff with the tools they need to make healthy lifestyle choices and manage challenges they may face; and empowering everyone to take ownership of their wellness.

To create a sense of belonging that promotes positive mental health and wellbeing we:

· Use clear routines and expectations (including STAR) to reduce cognitive demand on children and to promote positive behaviour, respect, kindness, empathy and a shared responsibility for caring for each other.

· Encourage regular physical activity through PE lessons and active play during breaks.

· Regularly acknowledge and celebrate the achievements and contributions of both pupils and staff.

· Implement and regularly review initiatives used to support staff wellbeing and manage staff workload effectively.

To equip students and staff with the tools they need to make healthy lifestyle choices and manage challenges they may face we:

· Teach students about mental health, managing and expressing emotions, resilience and self-care through a carefully structured, planned and resourced curriculum.

· Promote creativity and social connections through participation in our leadership groups and extra-curricular opportunities.

· Provide regular training for all staff on how to identify and support members of the school community who may be experiencing difficulties with their emotional wellbeing or mental health.

· Collaborate with local organisations and mental health services.

To empower everyone to take ownership of their wellness we:

· Implement personalised support and approaches, including access to Emotional Literacy Support Assistants (ELSAs), the school dog(s) and Forest School, for students needing additional support.

· Provide all members of our school community with space and time to talk to a trusted adult when needed, including time for parents/carers to meet with our Family Liaison Officer or School Chaplain and for staff to access confidential counselling and support services.

· Offer workshops and resources for parents to help them support their children’s wellbeing and mental health at home, including tips on managing anxiety, transitioning to new schools and boosting family wellbeing.

· Use regular feedback from students, staff and parents, alongside guidance from professional bodies and organisations, to assess the effectiveness of our wellbeing initiatives and to continuously improve and adapt the wellbeing strategy to meet the evolving needs of the school community.

Our school approach to behaviour ensures well-being and positivity are at the heart of all our interactions. Our bespoke curriculum design gives the children the skills and knowledge needed to look after their well-being as well as the well-being of others. 

In addition, Mrs Sims and Mr Mewse are Emotional Literacy Support Assistants (ELSA).  

Mrs Jones is our SENDCo (Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator) and is also on hand to talk to if you have queries relating to an educational need.

This page directs you to sources of advice and support for well-being both for adults and children, but please speak to us if you need to, we are here for you.

Zones of Regulation

The Zones of Regulation is a curriculum based around the use of four colours to help children self-identify how they’re feeling and categorise it based on colour. The curriculum also helps children better understand their emotions, sensory needs and thinking patterns. The children learn different strategies to cope and manage their emotions based on which colour zone they’re in. Additionally, the Zones of Regulation helps children to recognise their own triggers, learn to read facial expressions, develop problem-solving skills, and become more attuned to how their actions affect other people.

Here is a link to a useful from Dorset Mind Your Head about returning to school

https://bit.ly/B2SYoutube