Mental health is a very emotional subject to talk about. At the Vine International School, we promote emotional wellbeing and support improving mental health provision across our school. A trained wellbeing team supports the wellbeing of all staff, pupils, parents and carers with relevant strategies .

What is wellbeing?

Wellbeing is a broad concept and covers a range of psychological and physical abilities. Wellbeing is generally defined as the experience of good health and happiness. It includes mental and physical health, physical and emotional safety, a feeling of belonging, sense of purpose and achievement.

The most common types of wellbeing are said to be:

– Emotional wellbeing: this is the ability to be resilient, manage one’s emotions and generate emotions that lead to good feelings.

– Social wellbeing: this is the ability to communicate, develop meaningful relationships with others and create one’s own emotional support entourage.

– Physical wellbeing: this is the ability to improve the functioning of one’s body through healthy eating and good exercise habits.

– Societal wellbeing: this is the ability to participate in an active community or culture.

– Professional wellbeing – the ability to pursue one’s own interests, beliefs and values in order to gain a sense of worthiness and satisfaction in life and professional enrichment

We endeavour to provide a secure and positive environment in which our pupils can thrive and achieve their full potential. Every single pupil is known and valued as an individual in her or his own right, and is taught that school life has a meaning and purpose for them. We recognise that our pupils have a wide range of communication, sensory and emotional needs and therefore make it imperative that all pupils are given the right tools to communicate, express their views and be given a wide range of learning opportunities. Our school is pupil-focused and:

– provides a welcoming environment where everyone at school can feel supported and safe 

– provides opportunities for all pupils to participate in all school activities and events

– uses teaching methods that contribute to a positive classroom climate and well-being

– teaches forms of conflict management and approaches to bullying and harassment

– encourages healthier eating by guiding parents in ways to provide healthy options in pupils’ packed lunch and snacks

– teaches tolerance and open-mindedness by providing education for intercultural understanding into different school subjects and extra-curricular activities

– uses curriculum opportunities to talk about well-being issues with pupils

– continuously improves the physical environment of the school to make it more pupil-friendly

– takes steps to reduce the anxiety pupils feel about examinations and testing

– works with parents to enhance pupils’ achievement and sense of purpose in school