Mental Health and Wellbeing
Mental Health and Pastoral Care at Ryders Hayes
Pastoral Care at Ryders Hayes
Pastoral care at Ryders Hayes ensures the physical and emotional welfare of our pupils. We believe in supporting all children to feel safe, happy, involved in the school community and able to perform to their full potential.
Mental Health at Ryders Hayes
Primary schools have a vital role to play in supporting children’s mental health – teaching them the skills they need to recognise and deal with their emotions, and helping those with difficulties get the support they need.
At Ryders Hayes we believe in promoting positive mental health, our Wellbeing and Safeguarding Leader - Mr Rylance is our Senior Mental Health Lead and is a Stormbreak Advocate for promoting positive Mental Health.
Stormbreak activities are based around five key mental health concepts: resilience, self care, relationships, self worth and hope and optimism. Stormbreak aims to reduce the stigma around mental health by equipping children with language and skills that allow them to recognise, respond and regulate their feelings from as early as Reception (four years of age).
Ryders Hayes started their Stormbreak journey in April 2022, Stormbreak trained 5 advocates in school to deliver Stormbreak. Ryders Hayes has been delivering Stormbreaks to Reception, Year 3, 5 classes and small focus groups. Ryders Hayes has planned for a full school launch in September, where all staff will receive training during the first day back.
Ryders Hayes senior leaders have fully supported the programme and the results so far are amazing, children are physically seeing the change in their friendship groups and their own outlook on things. Children’s resilience has improved and children are not afraid to bounce back from difficult situations. Stormbreak is helping children at Ryders Hayes to return to ‘normal’ after the last 2 very difficult years for children and their families.
Children at Ryders Hayes have said:
"I like stormbreak because it's helping me concentrate in class" Year 4 Pupil
"Stormbreak has helped me because my relationships have been better with my friends. I like it because I also get to understand my friends" (Year 4)
Teaching staff at Ryders Hayes have said:
“the children seem to show more self-regulation and improved behaviour!” (Year 4 Class Teacher)
Senior Leaders at Ryders Hayes have said:
“Stormbreak is an added tool in our teacher toolkit to address day to day challenges in classes and also provide a programme of support to meet the pastoral needs of our pupils.’’(Assistant Head Teacher)
For more information about Stormbreak home I stormbreak CIO
Useful contacts:
Mind Mental Health Charity www.mind.org.uk 0300 123 3393
Young Mind How To Contact YoungMinds | YoungMinds
SHOUT provides free, confidential, 24/7 text message support in the UK for anyone who is
struggling to cope and anyone in crisis. Text SHOUT to 85258. This service is free on all major mobile networks.
Samaritans are available 24/7 and offer a free anonymous non-judgemental listening service. They can be reached by phone on 116 123 or via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The Mix offers a free helpline for young people under 25 between 4pm – 11pm. Call 0808 808 4994 or you can email or text the Crisis Messenger service 24/7.
Childline offers support to young people under 19, and they confidentially call, email, or chat online about any problem, big or small. Their freephone 24-hour helpline is 0800 1111 or students can have a one-to-one chat with an online advisor.
Support for Parent/Carer
Public Health England’s Better Health Every Mind Matters campaign shares helpful tips for young people parents and carers, including how to spot the signs that your child may be struggling.
Local NHS 24/7 urgent mental health lines (which can be found on nhs.uk/urgentmentalhealth)
SHOUT provides free, confidential, 24/7 text message support in the UK for anyone who is struggling to cope and anyone in crisis. Text SHOUT to 85258. This service is free on all major mobile networks.
Papyrus (Prevention of Young Suicide) provides advice and support for young people under 35 who feel like they want to take their own life. All their advice is confidential. Young people and parents under 35 can call their HOPELineUK on: 0800 068 41 41 or text: 07786 209687
(lines are open every day from 9am to midnight).
Samaritans are available 24/7 and offer a free anonymous non-judgemental listening service. They can be reached by phone on 116 123 or via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Family Support at Ryders Hayes
Being a parent can be challenging and when you’re facing stressful situations, everyday family life can become overwhelming.
Asking for help is never easy but I will respect your family, your situation and your confidentiality and together we could make things just a little bit easier for you, your children and your family.
We can help and support you for example:This could be:
- A change in your personal circumstance
- Stress within the home environment
- Difficulties with behaviour
- Sibling relations
- Money worries or benefit advice
- Health concerns within close or extended family
- Isolation within your community.
It could be support you need or it could be more about the children or the whole family. I can offer support through sessions in school or home visits for as long as you need it.
If you’d like to arrange an informal chat in school, you can contact Mr Rylance through the school on 01922 683008
Bereavement Support Station
Ryders Hayes offers a Bereavement support service on the first Wednesday of each month (see newsletter for confirmed dates) where children and families have the opportunity to talk about Bereavement.
Useful contacts:
Cruse Bereavement Support Helpline: 0808 808 1677 www.cruse.org.uk
St Giles Bereavement Support Adults and Children 01543 434536 www.stgileshospice.com
WAY - Widowed and Young Bereavement support UK - www.widoedandyoung.org.uk
Winstons Wish - 0808 8020 021 - www.winstonswish.org.uk
