At St Philip’s, we believe in nurturing each child, staff member, parent and carer as a whole person — body, mind and spirit. Our aim is to promote positive mental health and emotional wellbeing throughout our school community, recognising that wellbeing is just as important as academic success and is rooted in our Christian understanding of every person as uniquely created in God’s image.
We strive to create a safe, welcoming and caring environment where everyone is known, valued and supported. Through kindness, respect and compassion — guided by Gospel values such as love, hope, forgiveness and service — we encourage children to feel secure, confident and able to grow emotionally, spiritually and socially.
We recognise our role in helping children (and families) through times of change, challenge or stress. We commit to providing opportunities to talk, reflect, and access support when needed — whether from school staff, peers, families or external services.
We also believe it is important to equip our pupils with the knowledge, understanding and skills to look after their own mental health. Through our PSHE curriculum (and broader pastoral provision), children learn to:
Understand and express their feelings — good or difficult
Build resilience, empathy and self-respect
Recognise what contributes to good mental health (relationships, routines, self-care, kindness, community)
Know when and how to ask for help, and not to feel ashamed or worried about doing so
We maintain strong, open partnerships with families and the wider community. We commit to working with parents, carers and local services to support children’s wellbeing and offer help when needed.
If ever you are concerned about your child’s mental health or emotional wellbeing, we encourage you to talk, in the first instance, with your child’s class teacher. You may also contact the school office, SENDco or any of the leadership team for further support.
Through all that we do, we hope to foster a school community where every individual flourishes — spiritually, emotionally, socially and academically — and learns to live well together in God’s love.
Parent Workshops
Services and Charities
YoungMinds (Parents Helpline)
Advice on behaviour, anxiety, sleep, worries, emotions, school issues and mental health.
youngminds.org.uk
Helpline: 0808 802 5544
Place2Be
Supports emotional wellbeing in schools and provides practical guidance for parents.
place2be.org.uk
NSPCC / Childline
Wider safeguarding advice and direct support for children feeling worried, upset or unsafe.
nspcc.org.uk
childline.org.uk
Anna Freud Centre
Evidence-based guidance for supporting children’s mental health at home.
annafreud.org
The Mix
Support for older children/teens (under 25) including online chat and counselling.
themix.org.uk
Mental Health UK
General mental-health guidance and family resources.
mentalhealth-uk.org
Supporting Your Child
At times, children and young people may experience worries, stress, anxiety, changes in behaviour or difficulties coping with their feelings. You are never alone and support is available both in school and from trusted national organisations.
If you are worried about your child
Please speak to:
We are always here to listen, offer guidance and signpost support.
Signs a Child May Need Support
You might notice:
Trust your instincts—if something feels different, talk to us.
What You Can Do at Home
✔ Talk openly about feelings
✔ Keep routines where possible
✔ Encourage sleep, rest and downtime
✔ Spend time outdoors
✔ Notice changes over time
✔ Ask for help early
Remember
Seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Small concerns are easier to support early—so please reach out anytime.