Guided by our faith and Catholic values, St Richard Reynolds Catholic Primary School is dedicated to fostering a happy, healthy and supportive environment for our entire community. We recognise that emotional wellbeing and academic achievement go hand in hand. By placing children’s mental health at the heart of our school life, we empower our pupils with the emotional resilience, self-awareness and personal strategies they need to navigate life’s challenges with hope and confidence.
Embedded within our Catholic ethos and Gospel values, we ensure our whole school community develops the social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) skills needed to look after their own and others’ wellbeing.
Social and emotional skills help our pupils to:
- Identify and manage their feelings and behavior, reaching out for help and guidance when needed
- Build healthy, respectful relationships grounded in love, forgiveness, and mutual respect
- Develop self-control, self-awareness, and emotional resilience
- Resolve conflict peacefully through reconciliation and understanding
- Overcome difficulties with hope and confidence
- Make good, thoughtful decisions that reflect our school values
- Build self-esteem, recognizing their God-given worth and potential
- Grow into compassionate, well-rounded, and healthy individuals who serve others with joy
We have a dedicated team of staff whose role it is to promote, monitor and support the wellbeing of all:
| Wellbeing Team | |
|---|---|
| Mrs S White | Primary Inclusion Lead |
| Mrs C Harper | Personal Development Lead (PSHE / RSE / Wellbeing) |
| Mrs R Walker | College Chaplain |
| Mrs Prescott-Brann | ELSA Teacher |
| Mrs B Heal | Draw and Talk Therapy Lead |
The Zones of Regulation
Across all year groups, we use The Zones of Regulation framework to help pupils develop emotional literacy and self-regulation skills. By categorising different feelings into four coloured zones, children learn to identify how they are feeling, understand that all emotions are natural and valid and choose appropriate strategies to regulate their emotional state.
Blue Zone (Low Energy): Sad, tired, bored, or unwell. Strategies include taking a short walk, drinking water, or gentle stretching.
Green Zone (Optimal State): Happy, calm, focused, and ready to learn. Strategies include active listening, collaborative work, and maintaining focus.
Yellow Zone (Elevated Emotions): Frustrated, worried, excited, or silly. Strategies include deep breathing, taking a break, or using sensory tools.
Red Zone (Intense Emotions): Angry, overwhelmed, or terrified. Strategies include accessing a quiet space, co-regulating with a trusted adult, or using grounding techniques.
Annual Wellbeing Week
Every year, we celebrate Wellbeing Week, a dedicated week focused on promoting positive mental health and reinforcing practical self-regulation strategies across the school. Throughout the week, pupils engage in interactive workshops, mindfulness activities, and outdoor exploration
Wellbeing Week serves as an intentional reminder for children to reflect on their emotional toolkit, practice self-care strategies and support one another to become more confident and resilient throughout the academic year.
How We Support Positive Mental Health and Wellbeing at St Richard Reynolds
- SEMH & Pastoral Lead: Mrs. Harper leads our school-wide emotional wellbeing provision and pastoral support team.
- Year 5 Mental Health Ambassadors: Trained Year 5 pupil leaders supporting wellbeing initiatives.
- Happiness Club: Structured small-group sessions focused on nurturing positive relationships and emotional regulation.
- ELSA Provision: Specialist 1:1 and small-group support delivered by certified Emotional Literacy Support Assistant.
- Drawing & Talking Therapy: A non-intrusive, creative intervention supporting children in processing emotional difficulties.
- Sensory Rooms: A dedicated quiet haven equipped for emotional co-regulation, sensory processing and reflection.
- Purple Elephant Collaboration: Bespoke external specialist support provided via direct referral for individual children.
- SEMH & Values Curriculum: An integrated PSHCE and RSE curriculum prioritising trauma-informed approaches and life-long emotional resilience.
The Richmond Mental Health Support Team (MHST)
St Richard Reynolds Catholic Primary School is proud to work directly with the Richmond Mental Health Support Team (MHST). This joint scheme developed by the Department for Education and the NHS aims to boost wellbeing and emotional health within whole school communities.
The Richmond MHST at St Richard Reynolds offers support in a variety of ways, including:
- Confidential, non-judgmental spaces for children to explore difficulties
- 1:1 sessions and practical workshops for parents to help support their children
- Ongoing support and training for staff to keep emotional health and wellbeing at the heart of school life
- Hosting community coffee mornings in collaboration with the team to build strong support networks for parents and carers.
- You can also visit the Education Wellbeing Service channel for helpful videos on how to support your child.
Support for Families
We understand that supporting your child’s emotional, physical and mental wellbeing can be challenging at times. As partners with parents in your child’s education and spiritual formation, we are here to walk alongside your whole family.
- Our Parent Hub: We encourage parents and carers to make full use of our Parent Hub (link found in each mid week bulletin) a dedicated resource offering practical guidance, signposting, workshops and strategies to support your child’s health and wellbeing at home.
- 1:1 School Nurse Consultations: Through our Parent Hub, parents and carers can access confidential 1:1 consultations with our School Nurse. These sessions offer personalised advice and guidance on a wide range of child health and developmental needs, including sleep habits, anxiety, toileting, healthy routines and general health concerns.
- First Point of Contact: If you have any concerns about your child’s emotional health, behavior, or wellbeing, please speak with your child’s class teacher, request a consultation through the Parent Hub, or contact Mrs. Harper (SEMH and Pastoral Lead).
If you need urgent mental health support, please click here for more information including services available and telephone numbers.