Wellbeing at St. Joseph's
Our Wellbeing Team
Miss Harrison - Wellbeing Lead, DDSL and Parent Support
Mrs Gibson-Crone - Headteacher, DSL and SENCO
Miss Dove - Deputy Headteacher, DDSL and PSHE Lead
At St. Joseph’s, we believe that emotional wellbeing is the foundation for success in learning and life. When children understand and manage their emotions, they become more resilient, confident, and ready to face challenges. Our aim is for every child to leave us as a compassionate individual who can regulate their own feelings and empathise with others - skills that will support them throughout their education and beyond.
Our Tiered Approach
Our approach ensures that children:
- Develop emotional resilience and confidence to cope with challenges.
- Build positive relationships through empathy and understanding.
- Are ready to learn, with improved focus and behaviour.
- Leave St. Joseph’s as compassionate, well-rounded individuals prepared for the next stage of their education and life.
Zones of Regulation
Here at St. Joseph's, we use Zones of Regulation - a framework that helps children recognise and manage their emotions. It groups feelings and states of alertness into four simple colour‑coded zones so pupils can build self-awareness, emotional vocabulary, and strategies for self-regulation.
Piece of Mind
What Is the Piece of Mind NHS Team?
The Piece of Mind Team (formerly known as the Mental Health Support Team) is a fantastic NHS service working directly with primary schools including St Joseph's across County Durham to support children’s emotional well-being and mental health.
They offer a range of support including:
- Whole-class sessions to promote emotional resilience and mental health awareness
- Assemblies and workshops tailored to children’s needs
- Individual and small group interventions for pupils experiencing anxiety or low mood
- Parent-led CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) sessions to help families confidently support their children at home
Their work is all about early intervention, helping children feel safe, understood, and supported before challenges grow bigger. They also work closely with school staff to build a whole-school approach to mental health.
If you’d like to know more or think your child might benefit from support, please speak to Miss Harrison.
ELSA
Miss Harrison is our trained ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant). It is a school-based initiative designed to help children understand and manage their emotions, develop resilience, and build positive relationships. Through structured sessions, our trained ELSA works with pupils on areas such as self-esteem, coping strategies, social skills, and emotional regulation. The aim is to provide a safe, supportive environment where children can talk, learn, and grow emotionally, helping them thrive both in school and beyond.
Our sessions are ran weekly, as either small group or one to one.
The Bungalow Partnership - Supporting Emotional Wellbeing in Schools
At our school, we work in partnership with The Bungalow Partnership, a registered charity offering specialist therapeutic support to children, young people, and families. Their team of trained counsellors and therapists provide a safe, nurturing space for children to explore and manage difficult emotions, experiences, or behaviours that may be affecting their well-being or learning.
Support from The Bungalow Partnership may include:
- One-to-one counselling for children experiencing anxiety, trauma, or emotional distress
- Play and creative therapies tailored to younger children
- Family support and guidance to help strengthen relationships and build resilience
- Collaboration with school staff to ensure joined-up care and positive outcomes
Their work is grounded in compassion and creativity, helping children feel heard, understood, and empowered. If you feel your child may benefit from this support, please speak to Miss Harrison.