Support for Wellbeing

Mrs Tucker and Miss Ferguson are our leads for Health & Wellbeing. 

We have two members of staff leading this area given its importance and breadth. 

Health & Wellbeing, for example, encompasses:

Food, fitness & physical activity
Mental Health & emotional wellbeing
Sex and Relationships
Risky behaviours e.g. smoking, vaping, drugs education
Attendance

More information about What Matters within the Health & Wellbeing Area of Learning of Curriculum for Wales is linked here.

In Pontllanfraith we use the Jigsaw scheme to deliver PHSE (Personal, Social, Health & Economic) education (but not Religious Education). We cover the area of Sex and Relationships in the Summer Term and prior to this information is sent to parents so that they are aware of what will be covered and are able to support. Under Welsh legislation, parents do not have the right to withdraw children from Relationships & Sex Education (please see curriculum information here) and therefore we consulted with our Parent Forum in Summer 2023 about the content we use and the information we communicate. 

Tracking and monitoring our support for pupils' Health & Wellbeing 

For many years we have used the Pupil Attitudes to School Survey (PASS) to monitor children's wellbeing. This survey gives us feedback on aspects of school life as well as helping us to identify pupils who might benefit from short term intervention (ELSA - see below), for example, if it identifies that an individual child has lower self regard.

We also survey the children before anti bullying week each year to monitor whether children feel safe in school, and whether they are happy with how incidents are dealt with.  Our Ambassadors and School Council play a role in looking at this information, informing any changes to our policy and in updating Governors.

From Autumn 24 we are also introducing the School Health Research Network (SHRN) survey which has been developed in partnership with Public Health Wales.  

Restorative Practice

Pontllanfraith Primary School, in partnership with all Islwyn cluster schools, is committed to supporting the wellbeing of our children through building and maintaining positive relationships. We are working with Wales Restorative Practices Partnership (WRAP) to develop a consistency of approach to building and maintaining positive relationships within the school community. This project is funded by the LA and we are the second cluster in Caerphilly to receive this training and support. 

A restorative approach acknowledges the feelings, needs and rights of all parties in any conflict or potential/actual disagreement. It has been shown to improve relationships, reduce unhelpful behaviour, improve communication skills, increase attendance, increase personal responsibility and accountability and improve wellbeing.

Staff run daily check-ins with the children in their class and we use a restorative approach to support the children in resolving conflict. 

In dealing with conflicts between children we would want to find out how all sides are feeling and what they need to put things right. Where possible we believe in dialogue so everyone involved has an opportunity to communicate and cooperate with each other. Children need to be able to trust that when agreements are broken there are processes in place to repair harm, ensure that those harmed feel safe and able to learn and support those who have broken agreements to ensure that there are no ongoing difficulties. 

From Autumn 2024, all primaries will be training a group of our oldest pupils to act as Peer Mediators in the playgrounds at break and lunchtimes, helping to promote positive play and to resolve low level conflict. Staff will support. 

WRAP Leaflet for Parents

ELSA

In Pontllanfraith a number of our Teaching Assistants are trained as Emotional Literacy Support Assistants (ELSAs). They have been trained by Educational Psychologists to deliver wellbeing support programmes to children and attend on-going supervision with the Educational  Psychology team.

Our ELSAs training has covered: 

• emotional literacy including building resilience and self-esteem

• managing emotions including anger and anxiety

• social and friendship skills

• loss, bereavement and family break up

As well as skills development in:

• social and therapeutic stories

• motivational interviewing

• active listening, conversation skills

They can deliver a block of 8 sessions to individuals or groups. 

At the end of the 8 sessions they will evaluate the progress the child has made. Sometimes we may provide additional sessions.

Whilst staff may identify a need for ELSA support (e.g. as a result of analysis of the PASS survey) and contact parents to suggest that it may be beneficial, sometimes parents bring a need to our attention (e.g. if their child has experienced an Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE); struggling with friendships or regulating their emotions or is feeling particularly anxious). Parents who would like to discuss the possibility of their child receiving a block of ELSA support should approach their child's class teacher in the first instance.

Outside agencies that are able to support children & families:

School Nursing Service

CCBC Support for families & young people (further information about a range of services)

Please contact Mrs Tucker if you would like support in making a referral to any of these services.