Mental Health and Wellbeing

At Greenleaf, we believe in promoting positive mental health and emotional wellbeing in pupils, staff and parents to provide an environment that enables outstanding teaching and learning. Everyone will go through ups and downs during their school career and some face significant life events, so we aim to provide children with the tools to manage these changes in a positive manner

Our Senior Mental Health Lead is Kirsty Hurrell

Our Learning Mentor is Andy Morris

We believe well-being is all about our holistic health including physical and emotional. At Greenleaf, we are committed to supporting the health and well-being of our pupils and staff to ensure that the school is a community where everyone feels able to thrive. Positive mental well-being is essential if children and young people are to flourish and lead fulfilling lives.

At Greenleaf we:

help children to understand their emotions and feelings better
help children feel comfortable sharing any concerns or worries
help children socially to form and maintain relationships
promote self-esteem and ensure children know that they count
encourage children to be confident and ‘dare to be different’
help children to develop emotional resilience and to manage setbacks

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.

Meet our school dogs Zola and Myrtle:

A school dog in a primary school offers benefits such as improved academic confidence, behaviour and attendance, and helps children to develop social and emotional skills like empathy and responsibility. They can also provide emotional support, reduce anxiety, improve motivation, and serve as a friendly, non-judgmental companion, which can be especially helpful for vulnerable children or those who are reluctant to engage.

Zola belongs to Ms. Franklin

Myrtle belongs to Mr. Morris

Educational benefits

Improves academic confidence: School dogs can provide a friendly audience for reading aloud, which may boost confidence and improve literacy.

Increases motivation: Interacting with a dog can increase motivation for learning and participation.
Encourages attendance: For some children, the desire to see the dog can be a powerful reason to come to school, particularly for those with emotionally based school avoidance.

Social and emotional benefits

Teaches responsibility and empathy: Caring for a school dog helps children understand the needs of other living beings.

Improves social skills: Dogs can encourage social interaction and provide a common, positive topic for discussion.
Boosts self-esteem and emotional regulation: A dog's unconditional acceptance can improve self-esteem and help children relax, manage anxiety, and develop emotional regulation skills.
Supports communication: Dogs can help children, including those who are non-verbal or shy, develop communication skills as they learn to talk to the dog.

Physical benefits

Reduces stress: Interaction with a dog can lower blood pressure and have a calming effect on the autonomic nervous system.

Encourages physical activity: A school dog can motivate children to be more active, such as by going for walks.

Child In Time Counselling Service

Many children face challenges that can affect them emotionally, physically and psychologically. Having access to trained professionals can make a real difference to how they feel, behave and learn. We provide a weekly counselling service through 'Child in Time'.