Health and Wellbeing at Sacred Heart

At Sacred Heart, the education of the whole child is paramount. Our vision for our school is to be ‘outstanding in all areas of learning, pastoral care and faith formation. We aim to nurture a love of learning, with Jesus at the heart of all we do.’ Our School Development Plan objective 2 aims for ‘Excellence in wellbeing and personal development’.  We aim to support and nurture this through:

• Our PSHE Curriculum – Jigsaw
• Specialist workshops and assemblies throughout the year
• Dedicated Wellbeing Week and Anti-Bullying Week each year
• Our Family Liaison Officer
• Our School Nurse
• Mental Health Trailblazer Partnership with the NHS
• Education Wellbeing Partners (EWPs)
• Targeted Mental Health Services (TaMHS)

PSHE Curriculum

Weekly PSHE lessons follow the Jigsaw PSHE scheme which offers a whole school approach to Personal, Social and Health Education, emotional literacy, social skills, mindfulness and spiritual development.  Our PSHE lead is Key Stage One leader, Mrs White. Please visit our PSHE page for further information and links to the Jigsaw Scheme of Learning.  

https://www.sacredheart.merton.sch.uk/pshe-jigsaw/

Specialist Assemblies and Workshops

Throughout the year, we welcome visitors such as ex-professional footballers, charities and NHS Education Wellbeing Partners to lead assemblies or workshops on anxiety, resilience and healthy bodies and healthy minds.

Each year, we dedicate a week to Wellbeing. We learn about how to keep our bodies and minds healthy with diet, exercise and wellbeing. We also dedicate a week to Anti-Bullying where lessons focus on strengthening friendships and celebrating differences.

If you or someone you know can help with any wellbeing initiatives, activities or workshops, please contact your child’s class teacher or PSHE Lead, Miss Bennett. 

School Nurse

School Nurses work with school-age children and young people to improve their health outcomes, support them with identified health needs and disability in school, and to ensure that they reach their full educational potential. School Nurses are based in community clinics and work in schools, health clinics and other community settings. They also carry out home visits where required.

The school nursing service offers specialist nursing input across education and health, providing a link between school, home and the community to improve the health and well-being of children and young people, working with GP’s, other health professionals, teachers, youth workers, social care and voluntary sector agencies.

The School Nursing Service promotes the health and wellbeing of families and communities including school communities through the provision of advice of advice and/or intervention. School Nurses have advanced and specialist qualifications giving them the additional knowledge and skills to help support children and young people with identified health needs.

Our School Nurse is Jessa Nealega. To access her services, please contact Mrs Harris.

https://directories.merton.gov.uk/kb5/merton/directory/service.page?id=0_aIw28Xluw  

Mental Health Trailblazer Partnership with the NHS

As part of our research, training and provision of mental health and wellbeing, we are proud to be a part of a partnership with other Merton schools.  The Trailblazer allows us access to:

• A Clinical Psychologist to provide 1:1 and group interventions (Education Wellbeing Partner or EWP)
• A directory of services for children, young people, families and staff
• Peer to peer support programmes for children, young people, families and staff
• Online support (e.g. from Kooth who already provide services in Kingston) 
• Parent and carer support through the delivery of Empowering Parents, Empowering Communities (EPEC) and group sessions
• Clinical psychologist group sessions for parents (e.g. exam stress, internet safety)
• Strengthened PSHE curriculum to promote resilience and support social and emotional learning
• Mental Health First Aid training for staff

Education Wellbeing Partners (EWPs)

Education Wellbeing Partners are clinical psychologists who deliver individual programme to support parents with children who are:

• Showing signs of anxiety or worry (separation, fears, Covid, returning to school etc.)
• Showing behavioural difficulties (bedtime routines, following instructions etc.)

EWPs will work with the parent directly and aim to give the parents strategies and tools to help them support their child, and to feel more confident in responding to their child’s behaviour. The program consists of up to 8 weekly sessions with the parent. 

For further information on the Trailblazer or EWP services, please contact Miss Heffron.

Nutritional Therapist

Parent, Lyndsey Doris, (DipION, mFHT), has launched The Diet Edit - a nutrition consultancy specialising in helping families into better eating habits. So if you require support with a fussy eater, need some lunchbox inspiration or feel your own diet could do with a tweak, contact her at: thedietedit@gmail.com