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Pupil Well-being
To read our Pupil Well-being Policy please click on the following link here
At Northfield School, we place the well-being of every pupil at the forefront of all we do, recognising that it is fundamental to both academic success and personal development. We understand that when pupils feel safe, supported, and valued, they are better able to engage in learning, build positive relationships, and develop resilience for the future. Promoting wellbeing not only enhances emotional and mental health, but also fosters confidence, motivation, and a strong sense of belonging within our school community.
Promoting Well-being
We actively promote pupil well-being through the collective commitment of all staff, who work together to create a nurturing and inclusive environment. Our experienced pastoral teams provide dedicated support, ensuring that every pupil is known and cared for as an individual. In addition, we have specific members of staff who are trained in mental health and well-being, enabling us to offer targeted support and early intervention where needed. Our Family Support Worker, Mrs Carroll, is also on hand, to support pupils and their families with the wide variety of challenges that can adversely affect the wellbeing of our pupils. Miss Renwick, Assistant Headteacher, oversees and leads on mental health and wellbeing at Northfield. Through this whole-school approach, we strive to ensure that every pupil can thrive both personally and academically.
Personalised Support
At Northfield School we recognise that some pupils, particularly those with Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs, may face barriers that can impact their learning and wellbeing. Our personalised approach is designed to meet these needs with care, flexibility, and understanding.
Personalised Learning Centre
Our Personalised Learning Centre (PLC) provides a nurturing and structured environment for pupils who may be experiencing challenges either within school or in their personal lives. Supported by skilled and experienced staff, this provision offers tailored support to help pupils access the curriculum in a way that works for them.
The focus is not only on academic progress, but also on emotional wellbeing, confidence building, and developing positive relationships. Pupils are supported to feel a strong sense of belonging within the school community, enabling them to re-engage with learning and achieve their potential.
The Bridge
The Bridge is a specialist provision designed to support pupils in improving their attendance and, as a result, their overall outcomes. We understand that barriers to attendance can be complex, and The Bridge provides a supportive and flexible pathway to help pupils overcome these challenges.
Through personalised support, strong relationships with staff, and a focus on reintegration, pupils are gradually supported to return to full participation in school life. The Bridge plays a vital role in removing obstacles and ensuring that every pupil feels included, supported, and able to thrive within our school community.
Encouraging Dialogue about Mental Health and Well-being
Within school, we actively encourage open and honest dialogue about mental health and wellbeing, ensuring that pupils feel confident to share their thoughts, worries, and experiences. We promote a culture where speaking about mental health is normalised and stigma is challenged, both in the classroom and through wider school initiatives. Pupils can seek support in a variety of ways, including through our online concern form (accessed from the home page of our website), which offers a safe and accessible route for raising worries at any time. By providing multiple opportunities for communication, we aim to ensure that every pupil feels heard, supported, and empowered to seek help when they need it.
We also recognise that for some pupils, additional support beyond the school environment may be needed. We work with several outside agencies, including Alliance and ABC Counselling, to help support our pupils. In addition, we have provided a range of useful external links below to access further guidance and specialist services:
Useful Websites
ABC Counselling Services
ABC Counselling Services | Counselling, Play Therapy and Family Solutions
Experienced and highly qualified therapists who are passionate about making a positive difference for the children, young people and families that they work with.
AFC Crisis Messenger Service
Mental Health Charity | Anna Freud
A 24/7 text message support service for anyone who is feeling overwhelmed or struggling to cope. Text AFC to 85258.
A Way Out
Home: Stockton-on-Tees Charity - A Way Out
Supports vulnerable women, families, and young people experiencing abuse, addiction, poverty, and exploitation.
Beat UK
The UK's Eating Disorder Charity - Beat
Supporting anyone affected by eating disorders and difficulties with food, weight and shape.
Bullying UK
Coram Family Lives - Parenting and Family Support
Family support services offered through their helpline, live chat and email support around issues such as bullying and special educational needs.
CAHMS Crisis Line
CAMHS Home - Tees Esk and Wear Valley NHS Foundation Trust
For mental health emergencies in the Stockton-on-Tees area.
CEOP
Child Exploitation and Online Protection (CEOP) Centre exists to keep children safe from sexual abuse and grooming online.
Childline
Childline | Free counselling service for kids and young people | Childline
A private and confidential listening and advice service for children and young people up to the age of 19.
Cruse
Home - Cruse Bereavement Support
Offers advice, information and support to bereaved people of all ages, however or whenever the death occurred. Middlesbrough contact number: 01642 210284.
Grief Encounter
Home SUPPORTING BEREAVED CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE - Grief Encounter
Leading child bereavement charity providing free and professional support services to children, young people and their families following the death of someone close.
Kooth
Online chat and emotional well-being support for children and young people through moderated message forums, magazine, live forums, mini activities hub and youth support.
Mermaids
Supporting transgender, nonbinary and gender-diverse children and young people, as well as their families and professionals involved in their care.
MIND
We're Mind, the mental health charity | Mind
Provides information, advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem.
The Mix
Leading support service for young people dealing with problems such as mental health, money, homelessness, finding a job, break-ups or drugs.
Play Therapy United Kingdom
An organisation governing therapeutic play and play therapy and providing information to the public about working therapeutically with children.
Samaritans
Samaritans | Every life lost to suicide is a tragedy | Here to listen
Offers confidential support 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Call free on 116 123.
WeHeartCBT
CBT Resources for Children and Young People
WeHeartCBT is a collection of resources aimed at supporting children and young people who are struggling with low mood and/or anxiety related mental health difficulties.
Winston’s Wish UK
Winston's Wish - Bereavement Support for Children
Childhood bereavement charity offering practical support and guidance to bereaved children, their families and professionals.
Women’s Aid
National charity for women and children victims of domestic abuse.
Free phone National Domestic Violence Helpline 0808 2000247.
Young Minds
YoungMinds | Mental Health Charity For Children And Young People | YoungMinds
The UK’s leading charity fighting for children and young people's mental health.
Local organisations
HSSCP
Hartlepool and Stockton-on-Tees Safeguarding Children Partnership (HSSCP)
Hartlepool and Stockton Safeguarding Children’s Partnership.
If you’re worried about a child, call 01429 284284 or 01642 130080.
For out-of-office hours call 01642 524552.
Catalyst
Catalyst Stockton – The Charity That Helps Other Charities
The voice, representation and support for Stockton-on-Tees voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE).
Daisy Chain
Daisy Chain ｜Autism & Neurodiversity
Provides support services to children and adults affected by autism, and their parents/carers and siblings.
Eastern Ravens
Young carers support service providing tailored and flexible support to young carers and their families.
The Halo Project
Forced Marriage and Honour Based Violence Charity - Halo Project
Supports victims of honour-based violence, forced marriages and FGM. Working with key partners to provide interventions and advice for the protection and safety of victims.
Teesside SARC
Teesside Sexual Assault Referral Centre (SARC) provides a sensitive and dedicated service that meets the needs of victims of rape and sexual assault.
Victim Care and Advice Service
Durham Victim Care & Advice Service | Home
Provides free, independent care and confidential support for victims of crime and their families.
Free Apps
Move Mood
Low mood and depression weigh you down. Instead, engage, initiate and activate. Build your power to lift this weight.
MindShift CBT
MindShift CBT - Anxiety Relief App - App Store
Manage your anxiety, relax and be mindful.
Clear Fear
The fear of threat, or anxiety, is like a strong gust of wind. It drags you in and makes you want to fight it or run away.
Instead, face your fear with the free Clear Fear app and learn to reduce the physical responses to threats as well as change thoughts and behaviours and release emotions.
Worth Warrior
Want to manage low self-worth and body dissatisfaction leading to eating difficulties?
Calm Harm
The urge to self-harm is like a wave. It feels the most powerful when you start wanting to do it.
Learn to ride the wave with the free Calm Harm app by choosing activities from these categories: Comfort, Distract, Express Yourself, Release, and Random.
Combined Minds
Combined Minds is an app developed for teenage mental health charity stem4 by Dr. Nihara Krause, Consultant Clinical Psychologist, to help families and friends support young people with their mental health.