Morningside Wellbeing and Mental Health policy
The Wellbeing and Mental Health in Schools (WAMHS) Programme
The WAMHS programme was introduced in City and Hackney following the 2017 publication of the Government green paper called “Transforming children and young people’s mental health provision: a green paper”.
The green paper set out an ambition for earlier intervention and prevention, a boost in support for the role played by schools and colleges, and better, faster access to NHS services. The WAMHS project seeks to meet some of these aims by supporting our staff and parents to improve the mental health and wellbeing of all children at Morningside
Who am I?
My name is Magdalena Wydra and I am a CAMHS Clinical working for First Steps CAMHS Community in Hackney the CAMHS Worker in School (CWIS) for Morningside.
I visit the school twice a month (Tuesdays) to provide support and advice on children’s and families’ emotional well-being so that we can support all children to thrive and achieve. We would like to offer some sessions for parents if you have any questions about your child’s emotions, relationships or behaviour, want ideas for supporting a child or would like a space to think about your own well-being, you can drop in for a chat.
Guided by you, I could:
- Provide advice about how to support a child’s emotional well-being or behaviour. For example, discussing ways to help your child to feel more confident or improve their behaviour. Discuss your child’s worries and anxieties, perhaps sleep difficulties, or discuss strategies on how to manage your morning routine.
- Provide information on local services that provide additional support for children. For example, First Steps or Young Hackney.
- Provide a space for you to speak about the challenges of being a parent. Being a parent can be both incredibly rewarding and challenging and having a space to share these challenges can be helpful.
- Provide information and advice if you are considering accessing support for yourself. As a parent, it is really important to prioritise your own well-being too. I can provide information on services for parents such as parent groups, counselling and bereavement services, Mindfulness courses and coffee afternoons.
Please contact the school office if you would like to arrange an appointment. Dates available for this term are:
- Tuesday 27th January
- Tuesday 10th February
- Tuesday 24th February
- Tuesday 10th March
- Tuesday 24th March
Education Mental Health Practitioner (EMHP) – Introducing Tobi
We are very happy to introduce Tobi in her role as EMHP. Please see the information on the leaflet to find out more. Here is a menu of the sort of support she can provide.
Healthy Relationships Award
Morningside Primary is proud to be a Healthy Relationships Champion Setting
We partnered up with Tender Education and Arts (www.tender.org.uk) to complete RE:SET; an online toolkit and whole school campaign to award our school for promoting a culture of healthy, equal and respectful relationships.
Since September 2020, it is statutory for all schools to teach relationships education and it’s a fantastic opportunity to acknowledge the incredible work we already do as well as ensuring the whole school community takes on the responsibility of preventing gender-based violence and keeping our children safe, healthy and prepared for the modern world.
As part of this a group of children made a healthy friendship campaign which was shared with the whole school community in assemblies and with the rest of the school through lessons. This includes teaching our children about the ways that you should be treated by your friends and when to ask for help or challenge someone’s choices.
Nurturing School’s Project
At Morningside, we are proud to be part of the National Nurturing Schools Programme with NurtureUK. We are coming towards the end of this project and hope to be given the Nurturing School’s Award very soon. This award will recognise the school’s commitment to creating a nurturing school culture—one that supports not just academic progress, but also the social, emotional, and mental health needs of every pupil.
We know that children learn best when they feel safe, understood, and valued. That’s why we take a whole-school approach to nurture, ensuring that every part of school life helps children feel secure, supported, and ready to learn.
What is a Nurturing School?
Being a nurturing school means we pay close attention to how children are feeling, how they relate to others, and how ready they are to engage in learning. We recognise that a child’s emotional wellbeing and social development are just as important as their academic achievement.
Nurture isn’t just something that happens in one classroom or with one adult—it’s a way of thinking and working that involves everyone in the school community, every day.
The Six Principles of Nurture
Our approach is based on the Six Principles of Nurture, developed by educational professionals and supported by NurtureUK. These principles help guide our work with children and underpin the way we teach, support, and care for them.
1. Children’s learning is understood developmentally
We meet children where they are in their learning journey—not just academically, but socially and emotionally too.
2. The classroom offers a safe base
We create calm, welcoming spaces where children feel secure, respected, and ready to learn.
3. Nurture is important for the development of wellbeing and self-esteem
We help children believe in themselves, recognise their strengths, and build confidence.
4. Language is a vital means of communication
We support children in developing their language skills so they can express themselves clearly and manage their feelings.
5. All behaviour is communication
We look beyond behaviour to understand what a child might be feeling or trying to tell us.
6. Transitions are significant in the lives of children
We support children through changes—big or small—so they feel prepared, understood, and cared for.
Why This Matters
By nurturing the whole child, we help our pupils build the social skills, resilience, and emotional understanding they need to thrive—not just in school, but in life. We want every child at Morningside to feel that they belong, that they matter, and that they are capable of achieving great things.
If you’d like to know more about our nurturing approach or how we support children’s wellbeing, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. You can also find more information on the NurtureUK website.
YoungMinds
YoungMinds is the UK’s leading charity fighting for children and young people’s mental health.
Our Parents Helpline is a free, national service which parents or carers who are concerned about a child or young person can reach by telephone, webchat and email. It is for parents with children aged up to 25 who may be struggling with their mental health and wellbeing and is free and confidential. We have lots of practical advice for parents from encouraging conversations to finding the right support. We provide translation services in over 200 languages and comprehensive resources on the Parent and Carer section of our website:
https://www.youngminds.org.uk/parent/parents-helpline
African Community School
The African Community School’s vision is for a city in which everyone is fulfilling their potential, free from poverty and social exclusions.
They are registered charity since January 2000 and are also Ofsted registered. They help those in need to build their confidence, learn new skills and empower them to gain employment. Have a look at their website for information about Saturday school, parent courses and holiday programmes. https://www.acschool.org.uk/
