Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health
At Marine Park First School, your child’s wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do. We want every child to feel safe, happy and ready to learn. Our school values — Kindness, Respect, Co‑operation, Celebration, Learning and Thriving Together — guide the way we care for and support our children.
What Wellbeing Means to Us
Wellbeing is about helping children to:
- Understand and talk about their feelings
- Build positive friendships
- Cope with challenges
- Feel confident and valued
- Enjoy school and be ready to learn
We believe that children thrive when school and families work hand in hand.
How We Support All Children
We promote wellbeing every day through:
- A warm, nurturing school environment
- Weekly circle‑time sessions
- Assemblies that celebrate our values
- Lessons that teach emotional literacy and resilience
- Opportunities for children to share their ideas and worries
- Staff who listen, care and respond
- A PSHE curriculum which is taught through a spiral approach, revisiting key themes each year so that children build strong personal, social and emotional skills. Learning is enriched through real‑life contexts, pupil voice and opportunities to develop respect, resilience and positive relationships.
- Thrive and Nurture Approaches which are embedded in daily classroom practice for all children
Extra Support When Needed
Some children may need a little more help at times. We offer:
- Nurture groups
- 1:1 thrive and nurture sessions
- Emotional wellbeing activities/ interventions
- Quiet spaces for calming and regulation
- Help from external professionals when needed
We always work closely with families to plan the right support.
Working Together with Families
We believe that strong partnerships help children thrive. We:
- Keep parents informed about wellbeing support
- Offer workshops and information sessions through our Community Hub.
- Provide advice on supporting children at home
- Welcome conversations with parents at any time
- Work with families through Early Help when needed
If You Have a Concern
If you are worried about your child’s wellbeing, please speak to:
- Your child’s class teacher
- A member of the Wellbeing Team
- The Designated Safeguarding Lead
- School Office 01912534343
| Marine Park Wellbeing Team |
Headteacher, Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead: Mr S Easton Deputy Headteacher, Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), Mental Health and Emotional wellbeing Lead, Looked After and Previously Looked After Children Designated Teacher: Mrs J Nicholson EY Leader: Mrs S Foreman Key Stage 1 Leader, Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL), Haven Lead: Mrs E Souter Key Stage 2 EY Leader, Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL): Mrs R Frobisher Inclusion Lead, Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL), Mental Health and Emotional wellbeing Lead and SENCo: Mrs S Armstrong Out of School Club Manger, Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL): Mrs E Brooks Out of School Club Deputy Manager, Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL): Mrs T Anderson Higher Level Teaching Assistant- Nurture Lead- Trained in Thrive approach responsible for delivering nurture groups and 1: 1 EHWB support: Mrs S Williams Higher Level Teaching Assistant- delivers EHWB interventions in KS 2: Mrs C Lynch |
| Name of Designated Safeguarding Governor | Mrs J Bates |
We are here to help, and no concern is ever too small.
Our Promise
We will always:
- Treat every child with kindness and respect
- Listen carefully and respond sensitively
- Work hand in hand with families
- Celebrate every child’s strengths
- Help children learn the skills they need to thrive
At Marine Park First School, we believe that many hearts and minds make our school — and together, we can help every child flourish.
Together, our approaches help our pupils build self‑esteem, develop healthy friendships, make safe choices and understand how to cope with life’s challenges — in school and beyond.
Useful Links:
- Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health Policy (Marine Park First School) (will add link when final)
- Connect Mental Health Support Team Padlet: https://padlet.com/hiveconnect/primary-school-parents-3chsijfapuyag72a
Signposting Information and Guidance
- Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health Policy
- Useful children’s books that deal with Emotional Health and Wellbeing
General Mental Health Support
- Anna Freud Centre – Training, advice and resources for children’s mental health: https://www.annafreud.org
- YoungMinds – Leading UK charity supporting children and young people’s mental health: https://www.youngminds.org.uk
- MindEd – Online learning and advice for anyone concerned about mental health: https://www.minded.org.uk
- Rethink Mental Illness – Support for people affected by mental illness: https://www.rethink.org
- MIND – National mental health charity: https://www.mind.org.uk
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Support for Parents & Families
- Action for Children – Parent Talk – Free confidential live chat with parenting coaches: https://parents.actionforchildren.org.uk/chat
- North Tyneside Carers Centre – Support for carers of all ages: https://www.northtynesidecarers.org.uk
- SupportLine – Emotional support by phone or email: https://www.supportline.org.uk
- Thrive Approach – Wellbeing resources for parents and carers: https://www.thriveapproach.com
- Parent Toolkit group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/145621073473221
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Anxiety, Worries & Emotional Regulation
- Anxiety UK – Support for anxiety and panic: https://www.anxietyuk.org.uk
- Happy Maps – Advice for parents/children on a wide range of mental health issues: https://www.happymaps.co.uk
- MindMate – Helps young people understand feelings and find support: https://www.mindmate.org.uk
- Therapy Comics – Mental health resources using comic-style visuals: https://www.therapycomics.com
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Bereavement & Loss Support
- Childhood Bereavement Network – National hub for support organisations: https://www.childhoodbereavementnetwork.org.uk
- Holding Hearts (NE) – Bereavement therapy & support groups: https://www.holdingheartsne.co.uk
- Winston’s Wish – Bereavement support for children and young people: https://www.winstonswish.org
- Child Bereavement UK – National support service (linked via CBN): https://www.childbereavementuk.org
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Autism & Neurodiversity Support
- Autism in Mind: https://www.autisminmind.com
- North East Autism Society: https://www.ne-as.org.uk
- National Autistic Society – Leading UK charity for autistic people and families: https://www.autism.org.uk
- Toby Henderson Trust – Autism support charity: https://www.ttht.co.uk
- ADHD Foundation: https://www.adhdfoundation.org.uk
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Bullying, Safety & Protection
- Kidscape – Support for young people experiencing bullying: https://www.kidscape.org.uk
- NSPCC – Child protection charity: https://www.nspcc.org.uk
- Samaritans – Confidential support for anyone struggling: https://www.samaritans.org
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Crisis Support & Helplines
- Childline – Counselling for children up to age 19: https://www.childline.org.uk
- Childline Calm Zone – Calm-down tools, breathing exercises & activities: https://www.childline.org.uk/toolbox/calm-zone
- Papyrus – Suicide prevention charity for young people: https://www.papyrus-uk.org
- Qwell – Emotional wellbeing support for school staff: https://www.qwell.io