Supporting all children's mental health and well-being is a top priority at Distington Community School. We are continually investing resources and time into ensuring all of our children are supported to have good mental health and well-being. As part of this we have many amazing projects and initiatives in school as well as experienced members of staff who are specially trained to support all children. We have excellent relationships with outside agencies that we can contact for additional support if required and we always ensure that children feel safe and secure when discussing their own personal well-being. 

If you have any concerns regarding your child's mental health and well-being then please do not hesitate to speak to a member of staff, who can offer guidance and support. We also have a large safeguarding team and many adults in school who are trained in Youth Mental Health. These include:

Mrs D Benson - Mental Health Lead, Safeguarding Team, EYFS/KS1 Sendco

Miss L. Savage - Designated Safeguarding Lead, Youth Mental Health First Aider

Miss A Quirk -  Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead

Miss R. Quarry - Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead, Kidsafe, ELSA Lead, Youth Mental Health First Aider

Mrs J. Hughes - Safeguarding Team, Youth Mental Health First Aider

Mrs N. Stephenson - Mental Health Governor, Youth Mental Health First Aider

Mrs J. Kellett - Youth Mental Health First Aider

Miss F Watson - Safeguarding Team, KS2 Sendco

Mrs V. Askew - ELSA support

Please click on the links below for more information regarding what we do to promote good mental health and well-being at Distington Community School.  

USEFUL INFORMATION, SUPPORT AND RESOURCES

As well as our focus on the mental health and well-being of all our pupils, we highly value the importance of good mental health and well-being of all our staff. We are therefore committed to supporting all of our staff and we are proud to be signed up to the Education Staff Wellbeing Charter. 

Children's Mental Health Week 2025

This week all of the children in school took part in sessions with Relax Mel, drumming with Andy and the Life Bus to build up recognition of their own mental health and well being whilst linking to the theme of 'Know Yourself. Grow Yourself'.

Andy reiterated to the children the importance of working in a team and trusting the other children around them to create one larger symphony using the drums. He asked the children to listen to each other, giving each child the opportunity to be heard and ensured that they used patience whilst other children were playing their instrument.

Relax Mel gave the children the opportunity to speak out about their emotions as well as take part in physical activities which encouraged the children to work together. The children focused on their breathing techniques and looked at how best to regulate their emotions.

Sarah from the Life Bus spoke to each year group about building up their life skills using the 5 SCARF strands (Safety, Caring, Achievement, Resilience and Friendship) and encouraged the children to join in discussions about each of these 5 areas. The children also had the opportunity to meet Harold the Giraffe, the Life Bus representative.

Odd Sock Day

All of the staff and children took part in 'Odd Sock day' to celebrate our differences in school and how all of our uniqueness comes together to create one big team.