Mental Health and Well Being
Meet the team:
Mr Scott is our Mental Health Lead. He attends Mental Health Network Meetings to stay informed about current practices and works closely with colleagues to ensure our curriculum and assemblies actively support our pupils' mental health and well-being. In addition, Mr. Scott ensures that we participate in key Mental Health Awareness Days to further promote positive well-being across our school community.
If you would like any information about mental health and well-being in our curriculum, you can message Mr Scott on Class Dojo or make an appointment with Mr Scott via the school office.
Mrs. Twigg plays an important role in supporting our pupils and their families. Her responsibilities include:
✅ Keeping accurate attendance records to ensure all pupils are supported in maintaining regular school attendance.
✅ Providing emotional support to pupils through Talk Time Therapy, offering a safe space for children to express their feelings and concerns.
✅ Building strong connections with families in our community, working together to ensure every child feels supported both at school and at home.
Mrs. Twigg's compassionate approach and dedication help us create a nurturing environment where all our pupils can thrive. If you would like to speak with her or require additional support, please don't hesitate to get in touch.
Mrs. Weston is our dedicated PSHE Lead. Her role is to liaise with PSHE leads across The Harmony Trust and stay up to date with current knowledge and best practices in PSHE education. This ensures that our curriculum remains relevant, effective, and supportive of our pupils' well-being.
Our Commitment to Well-being at Alvaston Junior Academy
At Alvaston Junior Academy, we believe that a child's well-being is essential to their learning and overall success. Our Harmony Model Curriculum takes this belief to heart, ensuring that both the mental health and physical well-being of our pupils are at the core of their educational journey. We understand that children cannot truly flourish if their emotional and physical needs are not met, which is why we are committed to offering a comprehensive curriculum that nurtures a healthy, balanced lifestyle.
Through our Harmony Model, we provide an environment where pupils can make informed and positive choices for their mental and physical health. As educators, we recognise the importance of teaching children not only the value of maintaining well-being but also how to seek help when needed and use the strategies they have learned to support themselves.
Our curriculum integrates a variety of learning opportunities, including PSHE, science, Physical Education, after-school clubs, activities, assemblies, and whole-school events dedicated to promoting healthy living. By strategically planning these experiences, we ensure that our children develop the tools they need to maintain balanced minds and bodies, contributing to their happiness and long-term well-being.
Derbyshire Healthcare
Click here to visit the Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust Website. It is packed full of support services, toolkits and information about how to get medical help for you and your family.
Our Early Help Offer
We are dedicated to supporting our students' well-being and success. Our Early Help Offer provides guidance and support to families when challenges arise, helping to prevent concerns from growing. We work closely with parents, carers, and external services to offer tailored support for issues such as behaviour, emotional well-being, and attendance. We also have access to Family Hubs located across Derby, which offer additional services and support. Mrs. Twigg can provide information and signpost families to their nearest hub based on their location. For more information or support, please contact the school office — we’re here to help.
Physical Activity
Physical activity plays a vital role in promoting the physical, social, and emotional well-being of all children and young people within our school and its wider community. The positive links between health, physical activity, and overall well-being are well recognised. Guidelines for children and young people aged 5 to 18 years recommend the following:
All children and young people should engage in moderate to vigorous physical activity for at least 60 minutes each day, ideally extending to several hours.
Activities that are of vigorous intensity and help strengthen muscles and bones should be included at least three times a week.
Children and young people should limit the amount of time spent being sedentary (sitting) for long periods.
As a school, we place great value on the importance of physical activity. All our children receive the full Physical Education curriculum entitlement, which encompasses a wide range of activities such as swimming, invasion games, and field and net games. Additionally, we are proud to have Premier Sports coaches delivering high-quality sessions, along with Mr. Bhogal (PE Lead) leading our afterschool provision, ensuring our pupils have access to diverse and engaging opportunities to stay active.
Food and nutrition:
Mrs. Bower works closely with our catering team, ASPENS, to ensure that all pupils who receive school lunches are provided with a balanced and nutritious meal. In addition to this, within Science, PSHE, and Design and Technology, children learn about the principles of a healthy, nutritional diet and how dietary choices can impact a healthy lifestyle.
If you would like more information about ASPENS, you can visit their website here: ASPENS Services.
For additional resources on healthy eating and nutrition, please visit the following links:
Our networks:
We work closely with Compass Changing Lives to support children in need. Compass Changing Lives provides prevention and early intervention emotional wellbeing and mental health support to children, young people, and families (CYPFs) across Derby and Derbyshire.
If you need any additional information or would like to make a referral, please visit their website: Compass Changing Lives.
Supporting Your Child with Anxiety
Is your child struggling with anxiety at home? We understand that this can be challenging for both children and their families. Here is a useful pack designed to provide guidance and support for managing anxiety at home:
This resource offers practical advice, strategies, and helpful information to support your child’s emotional well-being. Remember, you are not alone, and there are many resources available to help you and your child through these challenges.
Relationships and Health Education:
At Alvaston Junior Academy, we are committed to ensuring that all our pupils are well-prepared for the next stage of their lives and beyond. Our strong Relationships and Health Education (RHE) curriculum is closely linked to our focus on character development, delivered through the values and principles of the Harmony Pledge. We recognise that Relationships and Health Education plays a vital role in supporting the mental health and well-being of our learners. By providing them with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to navigate relationships, emotions, and personal challenges, we help to promote resilience and positive mental well-being.
Our RHE Curriculum Aims:
The aims of Relationships and Health Education at Alvaston Junior Academy are to:
Provide a supportive framework for open and sensitive discussions where staff answer questions appropriately, considering the pupil’s age and individual context.
Prepare pupils for puberty by giving them an age-appropriate understanding of positive relationships, personal well-being, and the importance of health and hygiene.
Empower our pupils to be safe, healthy, and happy, as outlined in the Harmony Pledge.
Equip pupils with the skills and knowledge needed to keep themselves safe, both in the real world and online.
Foster feelings of self-respect, confidence, and empathy, helping pupils develop a strong sense of identity and prepare them to make positive contributions to society.
Create a positive culture surrounding relationships, where pupils understand that families can take various forms.
Teach pupils the correct vocabulary to describe themselves and their bodies, promoting body positivity and respect.
Support pupils in developing their well-being and building strong self-esteem.
At Alvaston Junior Academy, we are dedicated to nurturing confident, informed, and resilient young people who are prepared to thrive in their future lives.
How to take care of yourself and others:
Stay Connected
Stay calm
How to deal with stressful situations at home
Contact Helplines and resources
Young Minds Crisis Messenger service: Save our Messenger number on your phone. Text YM to 85258 for free 24/7 mental health support if you are having a crisis.
Emergency services (999): If you or someone you live with is seriously injured, call 999.
www.childline.org.uk: If you're under 19 you can confidentially call, email or chat online about any problem big or small freephone 24/7 helpline: 0800 1111Sign up for a childline account on the website to be able to message a counsellor anytime without using your email address chat 1:1 with an online advisor
www.samaritans.org: If you're in distress and need support, you can ring Samaritans for free at any time of the day or night. freephone (UK and RI): 116 123 (24 hours) or email: jo@samaritans.org
www.themix.org.uk: If you're under 25 you can talk to The Mix for free on the phone, by email or on their webchat. You can also use their phone counselling service, or get more information on support services you might need. Freephone: 0808 808 4994 (1pm - 11pm)
www.womensaid.org.uk: If you think you may be experiencing domestic abuse and you identify as a woman, you can talk to Women's Aid for free and confidential support email: helpline@womensaid.org.uk. You can also chat to a support worker using their free instant messenger service, Mon-Fri (10am-12pm)
www.citizensadvice.org.uk: If you have money or work worries, Citizen's Advice can help freephone: 03444 111 444 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm) or text service: 03444 111 445. You can talk to a debt adviser online for free Mon-Fri, 8am-7pm. For advice on anything else, you can chat to an adviser online for free Mon-Fri, 10am-4pm.
