Our school
Looked after, listened to.
Children learn best when they feel safe, known and calm. Wellbeing isn't an add-on at Swiss Gardens — it runs through the day, in named programmes and small everyday habits.
The Wellbeing Room
A warm, inviting space — different to any classroom.
When a child needs a few minutes away from the noise of the school day, they can spend time in the Wellbeing Room with Mrs Halfpenny, our trained wellbeing coordinator.
It's a quiet, calm space — not a classroom, not a sanction — designed to help children regulate, talk, draw or just sit. Some children visit briefly and rarely; others are part of an ongoing programme. Either is fine.
If your child is finding things tough, their class teacher will usually be the first port of call. From there, our SENCO, Mrs Older, and Mrs Halfpenny work together to put the right support in place.
Named programmes
Specific support, specific people.
When children need more than the everyday rhythm, we have three trained programmes plus a visiting filial play therapist. Each is led by an adult who has done the training and works with children one-to-one or in small groups.
Emotional Literacy Support
A trained Emotional Literacy Support Assistant works with children who need help putting feelings into words — recognising emotions in themselves and others, managing big feelings, and building friendships. Sessions are short, regular and one-to-one.
Building together.
Mrs Halfpenny is trained in Lego therapy — children work on a build together, each with a role (Engineer, Supplier, Builder), practising communication, turn-taking and problem-solving in a way that doesn't feel like therapy. The Wellbeing Room has the resources kept ready.
External therapist.
For children who need deeper support, the school engages a filial play therapist who works directly with the child, sometimes alongside a parent. Referrals are made by the school in conversation with families.
Mental Health Champions
Ten trained adults around the school.
Ten of our staff — teachers and learning support assistants — have completed Mental Health Champions training. That means there are ten adults across the school day who know what to look out for, who children can go to, and who know how to escalate to the right person.
It's not a club or a uniform — it's a set of skills woven into the staff team. Children may not know which adult is "trained" — but the adults know each other, and they know how to work together when a child needs support.
Around the day
The small habits that add up.
Wellbeing isn't only the named programmes. Smaller, calmer rhythms run through every classroom and every week.
- Worry boxes and question jars in classrooms — a way to ask without putting your hand up
- Mindfulness and relaxation activities woven into the school day
- A monthly wellbeing calendar with simple, age-appropriate activities
- Mental Health Awareness Week, every year
- Kindness recognition — celebrating small acts, often
- Partnerships with external charities, NHS services and West Sussex family teams
Talk to us — early, gently, in confidence.
The earlier we know, the more we can do. Most conversations start with a quick word at the school gate or an email to the class teacher.