Be happy, be healthy, be safe, always do your best!
Be happy, be healthy, be safe, always do your best!
Sladefield Infant School

Mental Health & Wellbeing

Welcome to Our Mental Health & Emotional Wellbeing Page

At Sladefield Infant School, we believe that wellbeing and mental health are the foundation for learning, growth, and happiness. Our commitment goes beyond academic success—we strive to create a safe, nurturing environment where every child, parent, and member of staff feels supported and valued.

We understand that life can bring challenges, and emotional wellbeing is just as important as physical health. That’s why we take a proactive approach to Mental Health and Social/Emotional (MHSE) support. Through our dedicated team, strong partnerships with services like Compass, and input from parents, children, and staff, we offer a comprehensive wellbeing provision tailored to the needs of our school community.

On this page, you will find:

  • Information about our wellbeing approach and values
  • Practical tips and resources for families
  • Links to local and national mental health services
  • Details of how we listen to and act on the voices of our community

Together, we can ensure that everyone in the Sladefield Family feels mentally healthy, resilient, and ready to thrive.

Who Is Leading the Work?

The wellbeing journey is being led by Mrs Connolly, supported by a committed team of staff and governors. Parents and the wider community are also invited to take part, making this a truly collaborative effort.

Our Wellbeing Vision

At Sladefield Infant School, we envision an environment where children feel happy, healthy, and safe—a place where they are supported, valued, and empowered to reach their full potential.

Guided by our core values and aims, we foster a strong sense of community, equipping every child with the tools they need to succeed and to contribute positively to society.

We prioritise mental health and wellbeing, encouraging children to understand and care for their emotional wellbeing. By nurturing resilience and confidence, we lay the foundation for:

  • Academic success
  • Personal growth
  • The ability to thrive in life and face challenges with courage and optimism.

Mrs Nicola Connolly

Mrs Nicola Connolly

Deputy Head Teacher

enquiry@slfield.bham.sch.uk
Email

What is Mental Health & Emotional Wellbeing?

‘Emotional wellbeing describes your mental state - how you are feeling and how well you can cope with day-to-day life. Emotional wellbeing is essential for us to function and be happy.’ Mental health is defined as a 'state of well-being in which every individual realises his or her own potential’

Mind, 2018

What We Do

At Sladefield Infant School, wellbeing and mental health are central to our ethos. We provide:

  • A nurturing environment where children feel safe, valued, and supported.
  • Dedicated wellbeing initiatives such as calming spaces, mindfulness activities, and emotional regulation strategies.
  • Access to professional support through partnerships like Compass, ensuring families and staff can get expert help when needed.
  • Regular wellbeing events and activities to promote positive mental health for children and parents.
  • Staff training in trauma-informed practice and mental health first aid, so every adult can respond effectively to emotional needs.


Why We Do It

We believe that happy, healthy children learn best. Mental health and emotional wellbeing are vital for:

  • Building resilience so children can cope with challenges and thrive.
  • Supporting academic success—a calm, confident child is ready to learn.
  • Creating a strong, caring community where families feel supported and connected.
  • Empowering staff and parents to model positive wellbeing for children.
  • Listening to voices—our approach is shaped by feedback from parents, children, and staff, ensuring it meets real needs.


Our Trauma-Informed Practice, Emotional Literacy, and Zones of Regulation

We recognise that some children may have experienced adversity or trauma, which can impact their ability to learn and form relationships. Our trauma-informed approach ensures that every child feels safe, understood, and supported. Staff are trained to respond with empathy and strategies that reduce stress and promote emotional security.

Alongside this, we prioritise emotional literacy—helping children to identify, understand, and express their feelings in healthy ways. Through dedicated lessons, resources, and daily interactions, we teach children the language of emotions, enabling them to develop self-awareness, empathy, and positive coping skills.

To support this, we use the Zones of Regulation framework. 

Understanding Zones of Regulation

A Parent’s Guide

What Are the Zones of Regulation?

The Zones of Regulation is a framework that helps children understand and manage their emotions. It uses four color-coded zones to represent different feelings and states of alertness:

  • Blue Zone: Sad, tired, sick, bored (low energy)
  • Green Zone: Calm, happy, focused, ready to learn (ideal state)
  • Yellow Zone: Frustrated, worried, silly, excited (heightened emotions but still in control)
  • Red Zone: Angry, out of control, overwhelmed (extreme emotions)

Why Do We Use Them?
  • Helps children recognise their feelings and body signals.
  • Teaches self-regulation strategies for managing emotions.
  • Encourages problem-solving and independence.
  • Builds emotional vocabulary and resilience.

When to Use Them?
  • Before school: Check-in to see how your child feels.
  • After school: Reflect on the day.
  • During big emotions: Use zones to identify feelings and choose calming strategies.
  • Transitions: Moving from play to homework or bedtime.

Ideas for Home
  • Create a Zones Chart: Display the four zones with pictures of feelings.
  • Daily Check-In: Ask, “What zone are you in?” and “What can help you get to green?”
  • Toolbox of Strategies:
    • Blue Zone: Drink water, cuddle, listen to music.
    • Green Zone: Praise and encourage.
    • Yellow Zone: Deep breaths, squeeze a stress ball, take a break.
    • Red Zone: Safe space, calm-down corner, breathing exercises.
  • Model It: Share your own zone and what you do to regulate.
  • Use Books or Stories: Talk about characters’ zones.

Tips for Success
  • Stay positive: Zones are not about punishment—they’re about understanding.
  • Practice daily: The more you use it, the easier it becomes.
  • Celebrate progress: Praise your child for recognizing and managing feelings.

Wellbeing Award

Sladefield Infant School – Working Toward the Wellbeing Award 

We are excited to share that Sladefield Infant School is currently working toward achieving the Wellbeing Award, with our final assessment scheduled for December 2025.

This nationally recognised award, developed in partnership with the National Children’s Bureau, promotes a whole-school approach to emotional wellbeing and mental health for both pupils, staff and our wider community.

This nationally recognised award, developed in partnership with the National Children’s Bureau, promotes a whole-school approach to emotional wellbeing and mental health for both pupils and staff.

What is the Wellbeing Award?

The award focuses on embedding a culture of wellbeing across all areas of school life. It is built around 8 key objectives:

  1. Promoting and protecting positive wellbeing
  2. Having a clear vision of wellbeing in our school
  3. Promoting a positive culture
  4. Actively promoting staff wellbeing
  5. Prioritising professional learning
  6. Understanding different types of mental health needs
  7. Ongoing participation of the whole school community
  8. Partnerships with other schools, agencies, and specialist services


Evaluations & Feedback
  • Staff and parents will be invited to complete an online survey.
  • Children will take part in activities that help shape our understanding of wellbeing across the school.
  • The feedback will highlight our strengths and guide the creation of an action plan for further improvement.


The Stakeholder Evaluation Forms are sent out and the results analysed. 

Support and Relationships
Practical Improvements
Communication

You Said:

  • Provide more opportunities for parents to talk to trusted staff.
  • Ensure support is available for families when needed.

You Said:

  • More interactive ways for children to express feelings.
  • Additional wellbeing leads and activities in school.

You Said:

  • Keep parents informed about wellbeing initiatives and progress.
  • Share reminders and updates through accessible channels like Class Dojo and the school app.

We Did:

  • Maintained open-door policy for parents to speak with staff.
  • Offered 1:1 sessions and signposted to external support services.
  • Increased visibility of wellbeing leads and support network

We Did:

  • Appointed child wellbeing ambassadors.
  • Introduced the zones of regulation
  • All Staff Trained in TIASK

We Did:

  • Continued regular updates via Class Dojo, newsletters, and school app notifications.
  • Shared wellbeing information during assemblies and parent meetings.

Workshops and Information
Opportunities for Engagement

You Said:

  • Provide more workshops and seminars to help parents support children’s mental health.
  • Offer practical advice and resources for home.

You Said:

  • Arrange more wellbeing activities and events for children and parents.
  • Create chances for parents to give feedback and share views.

We Did:

  • Shared mental health information and resources for families.
  • Scheduled coffee mornings for informal discussions.

We Did:

  • Organised wellbeing days for children and families.
  • Continued parent questionnaires and feedback sessions.
  • Increased interactive activities during wellbeing events.

Reducing Parental conflict resources

OnePlusOne provides evidence based resources that can be used by parents themselves or facilitated by practitioners to support reducing parental conflict.

There are 3 digital programmes available:  

Me, You and Baby Too  - helps new and expectant parents adapt to the changes that parenthood can have on their relationship

Arguing Better - helps raise awareness of parental conflict and its impact on children. It gives parents the skills to cope with stress together and manage their conflict more constructively.

Getting it right for Children - helps separating parents see how they are putting their children in the middle of their conflict. It helps parents to develop positive communication skills so that they can parent co-operatively and work out solutions together.

Parent link - https://www.oneplusone.org.uk/parent-resources-for-england 

For support on specific mental health needs:

For general information and support:

Supporting Mental Health and Wellbeing for Families

At Sladefield Infant School, we understand that mental health and emotional wellbeing are just as important as physical health. Life can present challenges, and sometimes parents or carers may need extra support. To help, we have compiled a list of trusted mental health services and resources that you can access for guidance, advice, and practical help.

These services are designed to support you with any concerns related to mental health, stress, or emotional wellbeing—whether for yourself or your child. Please remember, reaching out for help is a positive step toward feeling better and ensuring your family’s wellbeing.

NSPCC

Young Minds

NHS

Recognising the signs that a child may be struggling with their mental health can be really hard. The NSPCC have advice to help you support children.

Young Minds have lots of practical advice and tips on supporting your child, from how to encourage your child to open up about their feelings to dealing with mental health services.

This NHS website contains tips on what you need to know as a parent, the latest risks and how to seek help if you know someone at risk.

PAUSE

Compass Birmingham MHST

Mind

Pause is a service delivered by The Children's Society, in partnership with Forward Thinking Birmingham:

They provide access to immediate support & speak to an Emotional Wellbeing Practitioner.

Birmingham Mental Health Support Teams (MHST) offers free, and confidential support to Children, Young People and Families with mild to moderate emotional health and wellbeing needs.

Whether it’s feeling sad, scared, worried, or experiencing challenges like anger or frustration, Compass is here to connect you with the right help.
Mind is a leading mental health charity offering advice, support, and resources for anyone experiencing mental health challenges. They provide helplines, online tools, and local services to ensure no one faces mental health issues alone.