Wellbeing at AGS
Student Wellbeing
In our constantly changing world we know that it is vitally important to look after ourselves. At Acklam Grange, mental health and wellbeing is high on the agenda and all students have access to a high level of wellbeing support through our One Curriculum. We aim to create an open culture around the discussion of mental health and wellbeing. We want all students to feel valued and know when and where to get help if needed.
Wellbeing support at Acklam Grange
- Students are placed into year group forms. The form tutor will play an integral part of the students’ life at Acklam Grange.
- Each year group has a Year Leader, Assistant Year Leader and a Pastoral Support Assistant who are responsible of overall wellbeing of the students.
- Once a fortnight, students have PRIDE lessons which look at Personal, Social and Health Education. These lessons are delivered to forms by their form tutor.
- Wellbeing sessions are also delivered through the Let’s Get Going programme during tutor time.
- Students are encouraged to participate in the Student Leadership Team to help further develop the wellbeing programme we offer in school.
- Identified students are provided with a Mentor or Key Worker for additional pastoral support.
- Acklam Grange has a First Aider available throughout the whole school day. Any student requiring ongoing medication throughout the day will have a Health Care Plan provided in liaison with parents/carers, students and medical service.
- ARC Services – a caring environment to support students during social times.
- ARC services has links with many outside agencies and students are referred if needed.
In addition to the support listed above, Acklam Grange has the following Wellbeing interventions in place:
Mindful 5
To support with students’ resilience Acklam Grange have developed the Mindful 5 strategy within school.
The aim of the mindful 5 strategy is to:
- Feel calm and more positive
- Improve concentration and focus
- Help cope with stress and anxiety
- Get on better with others.
Acklam Grange also uses the Headspace for Learning strategy within lessons to further support students’ wellbeing.
These strategies are discussed and promoted through Let’s Get Going and PRIDE.
Thrive
Acklam Grange is a Thrive school. Thrive provides a trauma informed approach that can be used in a class, small group or 1:1 setting. THRIVE supports children with their emotional health, wellbeing and social skills, all of which are needed to enable learning to take place.
Students have access to this support through Let’s Get Going, PRIDE lessons and through small group interventions.
We also offer half termly drop-in sessions for parents to access the support and talk through any questions/concerns.
Zones of Regulation
Zones of Regulation is a programme to help children/young people to identify their emotions and provide them with a bank of strategies to help regulate their themselves and improve their wellbeing.
The Zones of Regulation is a curriculum based around the use of four colours to help children/young people self-identify how they’re feeling and categorise it based on colour. The curriculum also helps children/young people better understand their emotions, sensory needs and thinking patterns. The children/young people learn different strategies to cope and manage their emotions based on which colour zone they’re in. Additionally, the Zones of Regulation helps children/young people to recognise their own triggers, learn to read facial expressions, develop problem-solving skills, and become more attuned to how their actions affect other people
Zones of Regulation is currently being used by our Year 7 students through Let’s Get Going and in their PRIDE lessons.
Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA)
An Emotional Literacy Support Assistant (ELSA) is a trained member of staff whos support children and young people in understanding and managing their emotions. ELSAs work under the guidance of educational psychologists and focus on nurturing emotional well-being and resilience, which are crucial for effective learning and personal development.
At Acklam Grange we have one trained ELSA who supports students on a 1:1 or small group approach.
Range of social and emotional workshops delivered by ARC Services
ARC Services provides small group or 1:1 interventions to support students with a range of social and emotional difficulties. Examples of support include self-esteem and anger management.
Further support and guidance to support with wellbeing can be found using the links below:
