Wellbeing: 'Healthy Body, Healthy Mind, Healthy Us'

On this page we will share websites and resources that you may find useful in supporting emotional wellbeing and staying healthy and active.

At Prospect Hill Junior School, we are proud to have a trained ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant), Mrs Beswick, who supports children in developing the emotional literacy skills they need to thrive both in school and beyond.

The ELSA role focuses on helping children understand and manage their emotions, build confidence, and develop positive relationships. Through planned sessions, children learn practical coping strategies that reduce barriers to learning and support their overall wellbeing.

Our ELSA provides guidance for a wide range of emotional needs, including:

Recognising and understanding emotions
Building self-esteem
Developing social and friendship skills
Managing anger
Coping with parental separation or divorce
Dealing with loss and bereavement

Sessions are designed to be engaging and enjoyable, using a variety of activities, resources, puppets, games, and creative tasks to help children learn and grow.

Most ELSA support is offered on a one-to-one basis; however, small group sessions may be provided when beneficial, especially for social or friendship development. Children are usually referred by their class teacher and attend weekly sessions over a 6–8 week period.

We recognise that progress can take time and depends on each child’s individual circumstances. When more complex needs arise, families may be signposted to external agencies for additional support.

All ELSA support takes place in our calm, welcoming ELSA room—a safe space created especially for emotional wellbeing work.

Please follow the link below if you wish to find out more about what ELSA support is, including what a session looks like and how ELSA aims to help your child.

ELSA Blog

We are also proud to have a Mental Health First Aider in our school, Mrs Cartwright.

Mental Health First Aiders play a vital role in creating a supportive and nurturing school community. Trained to recognise early signs of mental ill health and offer initial support, they help ensure that all members of our school community receive timely care when they need it most.

By promoting wellbeing, reducing stigma, and working closely with mental health professionals, our Mental Health First Aiders contribute to a positive school environment where every member of staff feels understood, valued, and able to carry out their role with confidence, and where, in turn, children feel safe, welcome and able to learn.

Our fabulous ELSA room!

Newsround - Talking with children about current affairs which may affect their wellbeing

At Prospect Hill Junior School, we regularly use 'Newsround' as a method for sharing current news stories in a safe and secure environment. The Newsround website have published advice for supporting children with upsetting news. Please find the link below.

The Anna Freud National Centre for Children and Families supports the mental health of infants, young people and adults.

For more information visit: https://www.annafreud.org

Change 4-life site is great for encouraging wellbeing with healthy eating recipes, mental health tips and indoor/outdoor activity ideas.

Visit: https://www.nhs.uk/change4life

Every Mind Matters is a mental health support platform created by Public Health England. It also includes 10 helpful tips if you are worried about the coronavirus. Visit: https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/