At our school, we know that children’s wellbeing is the foundation for learning and personal growth. We want every pupil to feel safe, supported and ready to achieve their best. Positive mental health underpins everything we do, and we use a range of approaches to help children understand and manage their emotions, build resilience and know where to turn for support.

Zones Of Regulation 

The Zones of Regulation is a whole-school approach we use to help pupils recognise and manage their emotions. The framework uses four colour-coded “zones” to represent different feelings and levels of alertness:

• Blue Zone – feeling low, sad, tired or bored
• Green Zone – calm, happy, focused and ready to learn
• Yellow Zone – feeling frustrated, nervous, silly or excited
• Red Zone – experiencing anger, fear, panic or being out of control

Children are taught to identify which zone they are in and learn strategies to move between zones in a safe and healthy way. For example, a child in the Yellow Zone might take a movement break, practise breathing techniques or use calming resources to help return to the Green Zone.

This approach develops pupils’ emotional literacy, self-awareness and self-regulation skills. By giving children the language and strategies to talk about how they are feeling, we reduce frustration, promote empathy and create a culture where emotions are understood and supported.

Blurt It Out 

Every half term, all pupils take part in a Blurt It Out session. These are private, structured check-ins where children can share how they are feeling, talk through any worries, or raise concerns. Pupils are encouraged to reflect on both positive experiences and challenges, helping staff to gain insight into their wellbeing.

These check-ins are an important part of early intervention. They allow us to identify children who may need extra support before small worries become bigger issues, and they show pupils that it is normal and healthy to talk about mental health.

We also use a range of carefully-chosen children's books to open up conversations about feelings, worries and the importance of seeking help. Stories provide a safe and relatable way for pupils to explore emotions and learn that it's always okay to talk about how they are feeling.  

Inclusion Mentor and ELSA Support

Our Inclusion Mentor plays a key role in supporting children’s wellbeing across the school. As a trained ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant), they work with pupils who may be experiencing anxiety, low self-esteem, bereavement, friendship difficulties or other challenges.

Through 1:1 sessions and small group work, pupils are given time and space to explore their feelings, develop coping strategies, and build confidence. ELSA support is always child-centred, nurturing and practical, helping pupils to feel more secure and positive both in school and at home.

Ralph, Our Therapy Dog

Ralph, our much-loved therapy dog, is a valued member of our school community. Ralph is a registered and assessed therapy dog, which means that he has met very high standards in terms of temperament and training.Research shows that spending time with animals can help reduce stress, lower anxiety and increase feelings of calm and happiness — and we see this in action with Ralph.

Pupils have opportunities to read to Ralph, or simply spend time with him during the school day. His presence has a calming effect, helps children regulate their emotions, and brings joy to the whole school. For many pupils, Ralph is a trusted, non-judgemental friend who helps them feel more relaxed and ready to learn. No child will be forced to interact with Ralph if they do not want to, but equally, because of Ralph’s training, he is likely to be a positive influence on children who might have been frightened in the past of other dogs.