Mental Health and Wellbeing at Theale Green School

In our school, we are all safe, respected and heard because we Speak Up, Speak Out.

Speak Up, Speak Out is a Trust-wide campaign designed to ensure that all students feel safe and happy at school, and know what to do if they, or someone they know, isn’t. 

It combines a whole school approach, including:

• RSHE curriculum
• The school’s Safeguarding Ethos
• Anti-bullying
• Respectful behaviours
• Staff training
• Student belonging and leadership. 

It involves assemblies, tutor sessions, posters around school and even staff training, so the message flows through into our behaviour rewards and sanctions systems.

Relationship Sex Health Education

Theale Green School prides itself on having a responsive RSHE curriculum that supports the identified needs within our community.  Our curriculum is based on the following principles:

• Engagement with pupils– An inclusive and well-sequenced RSHE curriculum that is informed by meaningful engagement with our community to ensure that the curriculum is relevant and engaging.
• Engagement and transparency with parents– At Theale Green we are share our RSHE curriculum and are transparent with parents about all materials used in lessons. All materials are available to parents upon request. We recognise that parents have a right to request that their children are withdrawn from sex education (pupils can opt back in from three terms before they turn 16) and we ensure parents are aware of sex education content within lessons in advance.
• Positivity- With belonging and respect at the heart of what we do as a school, our curriculum focuses on building positive attitudes and skills, promoting healthy norms about relationships, including sexual relationships where relevant, and about health, including mental health. We are careful to avoid language which might normalise harmful behaviour among young people.
• Careful sequencing- Theale Green School covers all statutory topics, recognising that young people can continue developing healthy behaviour and relationship skills from Year 7. Our topics are sequenced so that students are supported and equipped with the knowledge to navigate different experiences in a positive way before they occur, and to prevent harms.
• Relevant and responsive- The Head of RSHE and the Designated Safeguarding Lead work closely together to ensure our curriculum is relevant, age and stage appropriate and accessible to all. We also use our safeguarding log to keep ourselves informed on the issues prevalent within our community and ensure these are addressed accordingly through RSHE schema.
• Skilled delivery of participative education- Our RSHE lead is a skilled subject specialist who provides bespoke training and support for all staff delivering RSHE. This ensures teachers have the knowledge, skills and confidence to create a safe and supportive environment and to facilitate participative and interactive education which aims to support and not to alarm pupils. Staff are trained in safeguarding and offering support, recognising the increased possibility of disclosures.
• Whole school approach- Our RSHE curriculum links directly to our Speak Up Speak Out approach and is part of our whole school approach to safeguarding and wellbeing.

Every year group has access to a bespoke hour of RSHE a week and we ensure that we adhere to the national guidance set out here:Relationships Education, Relationships and Sex Education and Health Education guidance

Anti-bullying and Respectful behaviours

Theale Green School recognises the importance of robust anti-bullying procedures and recognises the significance of child-on-child abuse and prejudice behaviours including sexual harms. Please refer to our anti-bullying page and procedure for more information.

Whilst Theale Green School does not have its own school counsellor, a number of our staff, including the Designated Safeguarding Lead are Mental Health First Aid trained and hold professional qualifications in building networks to support young people with their mental health.

The mental health lead for the school is Mrs Marianna Tottman mtottman@thealegreen.w-berks.sch.uk

We also work with a number of external service providers to support the emotional wellbeing of our young people:

Time to talk | Counselling for young people in West Berkshire

Mental Health Support & Housing Charity | Response – Response

Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services in Berkshire

Please contact Mrs Tottman or Speak Up if you have any concerns about your child’s mental health or the wellbeing of a Theale Green student.

Staff training

Staff at Theale Green School receive regular safeguarding training regarding student health and wellbeing.

Low mood, anxiety and depression are all recognised safeguarding concerns and staff, students and parents are reminded frequently to report these to a member of the safeguarding team or via speakup@thealegreen.w-berks.sch.uk

For more information on our approaches to safeguarding and the Early Help Process pleased see the webpages.

Student belonging and leadership

It is important us as a school that all our students feel well known and understood as individuals and should be able to name their “trusted adult” within school, that they feel knows them best.

At the centre of our commitment to student wellbeing is a sense of belonging and connection to our school community. We seek to reward students at every opportunity and champion their achievements. Our rewards procedure and leadership program enables students to take on responsibility, feel that their voices are being heard and directly support the development of our culture.

Student, parent and staff voice is very important to us and we encourage all to vocalise any comments, queries or concerns they may have through speakup@thealegreen.w-berks.sch.uk

Other Resources: