Pastoral Care
Welcome to our Home
First and foremost, Avondale is a HOME and not an institution. This, undoubtedly, has a huge impact on how children conduct themselves around the setting. We pride ourselves on providing an incredibly nurturing environment where a child’s relationship with their teacher is key. The size of our classrooms and number of children in respective year groups ensures an intimate education experience, where children feel confident in voicing their ideas. We operate an open- door policy where communication between home and school is encouraged. Likewise, we share areas of strength and anything requiring remedial attention as things surface.
Positive Mental Health
At Avondale Preparatory School, we are committed to supporting the emotional health and wellbeing of our pupils and staff. We have a caring ethos, where each individual is valued.
At our school, we know that everyone experiences life challenges that can make us vulnerable and at times, anyone may need additional emotional support. We take the view that positive mental health is everybody’s business and that we all have a role to play.
We take a whole school approach to promoting positive mental health that aims to help pupils become more resilient, be happy and successful and prevent problems before they arise.
We also recognise the role that stigma can play in preventing understanding and awareness of mental health issues and aim to create an open and positive culture that encourages discussion and understanding of mental health issues. We aim to be a ‘talking school’ with an ‘Open Door Policy’.
Should you wish to seek support elsewhere, please find below a selection of websites and organisations that can offer guidance in how to best support mental health and well-being.
We promote a mentally healthy environment through:
- our school values and encouraging a sense of belonging
- pupil voice and opportunities to participate in decision-making
- celebrating academic and non-academic achievements
- opportunities to develop a sense of worth through taking responsibility for themselves and others
- opportunities to reflect
- access to appropriate support that meets their needs
- weekly PSHE lessons
- a calm corner in the EYFS
- a Buddy Bench
- KS1 & KS2 Peer Mediators for break/lunch times
- worry monsters
- meditation/mindfulness sessions weekly
- ‘Mindfulness’ after school club (from Spring Term)
For support on specific mental health needs:
Organisation |
Web Site |
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Anxiety UK |
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OCD UK |
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Depression Alliance |
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Eating Disorders |
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National Self-Harm Network |
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Self-Harm |
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Suicidal thoughts |
prevention of young suicide UK |
For general information and support:
Web Site |
Area of Support |
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champions young people’s mental health and wellbeing |
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advice and support on mental health problems (e-learning) |
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tackles the stigma of mental health |
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challenges attitudes towards mental health |
