SEMH
At Cottam Primary School, we are committed to nurturing the social, emotional and mental wellbeing of our entire school community, including children, families and staff. We believe that positive mental health is just as important as physical health and is fundamental to children feeling happy, safe, valued and ready to learn.
We strive to create an environment where every child feels a strong sense of belonging. We celebrate the individuality of each member of our school community and work hard to ensure that every child feels accepted, respected and included as part of the Cottam family.
We recognise that life can sometimes bring challenges, changes and uncertainties. For some children, school provides a place of stability, comfort and support during difficult times. We understand the important role we play in helping children to navigate these experiences, build resilience and access the support they need when they need it.
Our whole-school approach to promoting positive social, emotional and mental health includes:
Creating a nurturing and inclusive culture, supported by policies, practices and behaviours that promote wellbeing and emotional safety.
Helping children to build positive relationships, develop empathy and support one another.
Teaching children the social and emotional skills they need to understand and manage their feelings, develop resilience and maintain positive mental health.
Identifying children who may need additional support at an early stage and working closely with families and specialist services to meet their needs.
Building strong partnerships with parents and carers to ensure children receive consistent support both at home and at school.
Supporting the wellbeing of our staff and providing training and development opportunities so they can continue to effectively support our children and one another.
At Cottam Primary School, we want every child to know that they are valued, listened to and supported, and that there is always someone they can turn to for help.