Child Wellbeing at WHA

We are proud to announce WHA have been awarded the NATIONAL WELLBEING AWARD FOR SCHOOLS

Child Wellbeing at WHA

We are proud to announce that Western House Academy has been awarded the NATIONAL WELLBEING AWARD FOR SCHOOLS.

At Western House Academy, we are deeply committed to supporting the emotional health and wellbeing of our pupils and staff. We recognise that everyone experiences life challenges that can make us vulnerable, and at times, anyone may need additional emotional support. We take the firm view that positive mental health is everybody’s business and that we all have a role to play.

Every month, we host a dedicated school-wide Wellbeing Day for children and staff to celebrate and focus on promoting healthy minds.

At our school we actively work to:

• Help children understand their emotions and feelings more deeply.

• Create a safe environment where children feel comfortable sharing any concerns or worries.

• Support children socially to form, build, and maintain positive relationships.

• Promote core values that children can confidently use throughout their lives.

Our Three-Tiered Support Framework

We offer distinct levels of support to meet the diverse needs of our school community:

1. Universal Support

To meet the needs of all our pupils through our overall school ethos, daily routines, and wider curriculum.

• PSHE Curriculum: A progressive, age-appropriate Personal, Social, Health and Economic education curriculum taught across all year groups.

• Zones of Regulation: A school-wide framework helping children visually identify, talk about, and manage their emotional states.

• Trusted Adults & Sharing Boxes: Every child knows who they can turn to, backed by accessible ways to share worries and important things to them.

• Wellbeing Days & Assemblies: Monthly whole-school focus days and assembly themes dedicated to emotional wellness.

• Junior Duke: An enrichment award scheme built into our curriculum to develop independence, confidence, and resilience.

2. Additional Support

For pupils who may have short-term needs or those who have been made temporarily vulnerable by life experiences (such as a family separation or bereavement).

• Sensory Circuits: Short, structured sequences of physical activities designed to help children organise their senses and settle ready for learning.

• Peer Mentors: Specially trained older pupils who offer lunchtime support, companionship, and a friendly ear on the playground.

• Nurture & Quiet Spaces: Structured alternatives to busy lunch and break times for children needing a calmer environment.

• Wellbeing Groups & Mentoring: Short-term, small-group sessions focusing on specific emotional or social skills.

3. Targeted Support

For pupils who require highly individualized, differentiated support, specific therapeutic interventions, or specialist resources.

• ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant): Bespoke, targeted 1:1 emotional support programs delivered by our certified staff.

• Jessie the Therapy Dog: Sessions with our school therapy dog to reduce anxiety and build emotional confidence.

• Adapted Timetables: Individualised school day structures tailored to support children during periods of severe emotional distress.

• External Specialist Signposting: Referrals to formal external medical, therapeutic, and local authority support pathways.

Our Certified Mental Health First Aiders are:

• Mrs Costelloe (Vice Principal for Inclusion and Safeguarding)

• Mrs Reid (Receptionist & Key Worker)

• Mrs Gregory (Child & Family Support Officer)

Useful Support Links for Parents & Pupils

National Support Services

• NHS Every Mind Matters – Simple, practical steps to look after mental health, improve wellbeing, and spot signs of struggle in children.

• Mentally Healthy Schools – Quality-assured information, advice, and practical resources for school communities.

• Mental Health Foundation – Home of Mental Health Awareness Week, featuring preventative toolkits and advice campaigns.

• Kooth – A free, safe, and completely anonymous online mental health community and counseling platform for young people.

• Winston's Wish – The UK's leading childhood bereavement charity, offering practical support and guidance to grieving children.

Local & Targeted Support Services

• Number 22 Community Counselling – A registered charity providing completely free, accessible, and confidential counseling to young people in Slough, Windsor, and Maidenhead.

• Daisy's Dream – A professional local support service responding to the needs of children and families across Berkshire affected by life-threatening illness or bereavement.

• SAFE! Support for Young People – An organisation providing tailored support to children and families across Berkshire who have been affected by crime, bullying, or domestic abuse.