At Oathall we are wholly committed to the promotion of positive mental health and wellbeing of all our staff, students and parents. We aim to achieve this through a whole school approach that minimises the stressors that lead to anxiety, provides support to those who may suffer from mental health related conditions, and educates all in how to lead a positive lifestyle in order to maximise physical, mental and social well-being.
Oathall are working in partnership with Carnegie Centre of Excellence for Mental Health in Schools, the NHS and West Sussex Mental Health Support Teams in Schools to strategically deliver our whole school approach to the mental health and wellbeing of our stakeholders.
Our whole school approach can be broken down into key elements:
Support for our students
- We have 15 pastoral leaders who are key members of staff in liaising with parents and outside agencies such as CAMHS, Youth Emotional Support (YES), and 5 of these are non teaching pastoral specialists who are available to students all day The pastoral system and the role of the form tutor enables positive relationships and creates the first line of communication
- Student Wellbeing Ambassadors. This is a student run network aimed to offer peer to peer support for our students
- PSHE Programme which covers topics such as anxiety, self-esteem, relationships and managing stress
- PE Programme that encourages and educates about the importance of leading a healthy active lifestyle and its impact on wellbeing
- A tutor programme that has dedicated ‘Wellbeing Days’
- Circle time each week during Tutor time to encourage conversations and ‘check in
- Pastoral staff have been trained by thoughtful to have an ’emotional coaching’ approach to managing student behaviour
- Student Council
- We offer an alternative curriculum to suit our learners’ needs which engages them in learning and improves their attendance.
- Student Mental Health Toolkit
- Links to resources and strategies document
Support for our staff
- Wellbeing activities including staff fitness, staff tennis and staff yoga
- Free access to the onsite fitness suite
- Regular review of workload – staff surveys (e.g remote parents evenings)
- Oathall Community Wellbeing Policy
- 8 qualified Adult Mental Health First Aiders
- Staff voice meetings
- Two well being notice boards in the staffroom
Work with parents and external agencies
- 12 pastoral leaders who have the responsibility of communicating with parents as well as key external services e.g. MASH, YES, CAMHS
- Designated Safeguarding Lead and Deputy Safeguarding Lead
- Pastoral team member as Assistant Designated Safeguarding Lead
- Website sharing resources for parents to support mental health and wellbeing
- Feedback from Parental surveys
- Mental Health an Emotional Wellbeing Newsletters
- Parent workshop presentations
- Let’s Talk parent workshop flyer: The Power of Sleep
- CAMHS mental health webinars
- Website designed for supporting Ukrainian students with their mental health
- Managing exam stress: 10 top tips poster
- Transition Strategies
Culture and Ethos
- School Behaviour Policy
- Oathall Community Wellbeing Policy
- Leadership opportunities
- Rewards System
- Enrichment – programme
- House System
- Wellbeing Wednesdays in the library
- Annual Days of Awareness
- Wellbeing displays
- A positive classroom climate