Mental Health & Emotional Wellbeing
Brighouse High School is a leading school for mental health and emotional wellbeing in Calderdale. We prioritise the wellbeing of every member of our team, including our students and staff to ensure that outstanding teaching and learning takes place, and the school is a community where everyone feels supported and is able to reach their full potential.
We explicitly teach all students the skills, knowledge, language and understanding needed to keep themselves physically and mentally safe. These are delivered through our Learning4Life lessons, Super Learning Days, in form time and assemblies.
We have adopted the new Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) and Health curriculum. We follow the PSHE Association guidance and train our staff to ensure we teach these issues in a sensitive manner which helps rather than harms. The safe spaces we create for these conversations allow students to explore tricky themes, to develop empathy and understanding, and give them the confidence to seek help if needed, for themselves or others.
Through our Staff CPD programme and training provided by Open Minds and MHST our staff are developing their confidence in recognising mental health concerns in our students and other staff. This training aims to give staff confidence to support each other and our students through difficult times by identifying the warning signs and managing disclosures.
Student Leaders also make a significant contribution to wellbeing at Brighouse High School. They represent student views on how the school can work to support mental health and emotional wellbeing. Our Student Council Groups choose their own areas of focus, and frequently choose wellbeing related topics for campaigns. They do various activities to support student mental health and emotional wellbeing including research, assemblies, poster campaigns, fundraising and parents’ newsletter articles.
How We Support Mental Health & Wellbeing
As a school, we aim to:
- Provide a calm, caring environment
- Promote positive mental health across a broad range of school initiatives
- Help pupils to become more resilient, kind, respectful and successful
- Provide additional emotional support when students feel vulnerable
- Provide support to staff working with young people with mental health issues
- Provide support to the peers and parents/carers of students suffering from mental ill health
- To signpost further help and support online
Meet the Team
Whilst all our staff have a responsibility to promote emotional health and wellbeing, the following staff have a specific remit for wellbeing.
Key Policies
In addition to promoting positive mental health and wellbeing, we aim to recognise and respond to mental ill health. In an average classroom, three children will be suffering from a diagnosable mental health issue. By developing and implementing practical, relevant and effective mental health policies and procedures we can promote a safe and stable environment for students affected both directly and indirectly by mental ill health.
Our Partners
Brighouse High School works closely with the following partners:
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Calderdale Mental Health Support Team (MHST) Students have access to our in-house Mental Health Practitioner and Support Team. They can provide 1:1 and/or group support for a range of emotional wellbeing needs, including support for examination worries. Visit the website to find out more on the work the MHST team do. |
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Open Minds for Children and Young People in Calderdale (CAMHS) We work very closely with Open Minds and can make further referrals to support our young people as necessary. Visit the website to find more information on the work Open Minds do with young people and parents/carers. |
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The Education Hub The Education Hub is a site for parents, pupils, education professionals and the media that captures all you need to know about the education system. You find accessible, straightforward information on popular topics. The website includes Q&As, interviews, case studies and much more. Visit the blog to find out more. |
Support for Parents
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Open Minds (MHST) and Kooth Throughout the year, MHST and Kooth deliver a range of in person or online workshops on a range of topics including Exam Stress, Introduction to Kooth, General Mental Health and Support, Anxiety for Parents and Body Image and Self-Esteem. Further details will be posted on the website and shared with parents through our My Child At School app. |
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Kooth – A handy guide for parents and carers It can be difficult for parents and carers to recognise when a child or young adult is struggling with mental illness. This brochure will help you better understand and be aware of the warning signs of mental illness in young people as well as signposting you to organisations that can provide support. |
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Open Minds – Calderdale’s Emotional Health and Wellbeing Service Guide for Families This service guide has been written by parents and professionals working together. It has been developed to support families whose children and young people are experiencing emotional health and wellbeing difficulties. |
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Online Resources We have collated a range of online resources and support links for students, staff and parents. Visit this document to find hyperlinks to those resources Go to document |