Mental health

• To develop pupils’ knowledge and understanding of mental health, enabling them to challenge stigma and misconceptions through confident oracy and open discussion.
• To promote the importance of positive mental health and emotional wellbeing, encouraging creative expression as a tool for reflection and communication.
• To support pupils in developing a strong sense of self, confidence, self-esteem, and an understanding of their value to society, fostering independence and personal responsibility.
• To help pupils understand, express, and manage their emotions effectively using strong oracy skills and creative strategies.
• To equip pupils with essential life skills, psychological strategies, and coping mechanisms to support successful, independent living.
• To develop pupils’ self-advocacy and communication skills, enabling them to articulate their needs, ask for help, and make informed choices.
• To ensure pupils can recognise signs of mental health difficulties in themselves and others and respond appropriately and independently.
• To enable pupils to identify, access, and utilise personal and community support networks when they are struggling.
• To raise awareness of mental health support available within the community and develop the life skills needed to navigate services effectively.
• To encourage independence by equipping pupils with the skills to seek, access, and engage with appropriate mental health support.
• To ensure all pupils leave SMBS prepared for transition into post-16 education, adulthood, and independent life, with strong oracy, creativity, and life skills to support their wellbeing.