Pastoral

Welcome to Dunchurch Junior academy Mental health, Well-being and pastoral Area

At our academy we want to be able to support everyone with their mental health and well-being. This is children, staff and parents/carers and all stakeholders. When there is a collaborative approach between us all we will be more successful.

‘Together we are stronger’

Please find below are latest Mental health and well-being policy. As well as the pastoral waves of support we offer in school, which also cover mental health and well being.

Dunchurch Academy mental health policy .docx

Pastoral waves of support.docx

We are have a group of Mental health champions who are voices for change in an ever changing world.

Our Mental Health definition

The children were asked ‘ what is mental Health?’ from here they discussed and gathered their ideas together. From their ideas Mrs Clusker made two definitions of what mental health is. The children voted for the one they felt was most appropriate for them as a school. Please read our school definition of Mental Health

“Dunchurch Junior Academy mental health is looking after our minds when we feel all different emotions such as sad, happy, stress and anxiousness. Knowing how to cope with these using different tools so we can contribute successfully in all areas of school”

There was also a competition to draw our own mental health logo, which was won by Flynn in year 6. Please see our Dunchurch Mental health logo.

The Hive

The Hive is used in school as a base for the pastoral mentors to work. It’s large space that is dived out into areas for all the children to access. There is a regulation station where the children can find strategies and tools to help them regulate. Tabled areas for the children and mentors to work in group sessions or 1-1. A kitchen area so we are able to cook or have breakfast. We have a sensory area with lights if we need a more relaxing vibe. A vast range of books that cover many topics, including mental health.

Mrs Clusker and Mr Cassells work in the Hive throughout the day, checking in with children, working 1-1 or in small groups. On Mondays this also home to our visiting therapy dogs, Peggy, Dexter and Milo.

The work done in The Hive often centres around a book, which is read and then an activity completed around a focus, this might include emotional regulation, Anxiety, Separation. It is also home to our Nurture group the Bees Knees which runs on Thursday afternoon.

Sunrise well-being Breakfast Club

At Dunchurch Academy we offer a soft start to the day for some pupils who need it. On a Monday and Thursday am. This allows them to enter school at a quieter time, through the main entrance. They all come together and have a healthy breakfast if they wish. There are activities out for them to complete themselves or together. While eating we talk about how our weeks have been. They then enter the classrooms as the other children have already settled. This is aimed at reducing school-based anxiety, Separation anxiety and building positive self-esteem. This is run by Mrs Clusker, so she is there to support and talk through any worries.

Dog Therapy

We have the pleasure of three dogs, Dexter, Milo and Peggy who join us on a Monday afternoon. They spend time in The Hive and are visited by multiple children from across the year groups. The children really enjoy asking Gerard questions about the dogs, as well as stroking, talking and reading to the dogs. The dogs promote a positive atmosphere, which calm and relax allowing the children to flourish. They help to reduce anxiety and bring calm to the storms. Another great resource we have that all children at some point will be able to access in some way. This maybe in a group, 1-1 or a class visit.

Mental health week 2024

During mental health week in 2024, the children watched three assemblies over the week. Each one of a different part of the brain which was linked to three animals. The meerkat brain, Elephant and Monkey. These represent the three areas of the brain linked with thoughts, feelings and behaviours. We choose to teach the children about the Brain as we felt it was important for them to understand what is happening In theirs brains at times when they feel overwhelmed. This goes hand in hand with the work we do on the zones of regulation and what tools we can use before we get to this point. The children each had a brain, they coloured in the three different parts and labelled them with what strategies they have in place when things are not going so well. This is on display within out entrance hall. The children also all made a collaborative toolbox of coping strategies which can also be found in the entrance hall. They are free to take an idea from here to use.

Please watch the link below to learn more yourselves

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVhWwciaqOE

Well-being and mental health support for children at Dunchurch

All children at Dunchurch are entitled to support with their mental health and well-being. This is done in a variety of ways, through the PSHE curriculum jigsaw we use, Stories in the classrooms and worship. Below are some of the things that the children can access if they need to.