1. At Alexandra Park School we aim to look after all of our students academically, emotionally and socially; keeping minds and bodies healthy.

2. Student wellbeing – why is it a priority?
Increased risk period which, left unchecked, can lead to life long consequences
To encourage the open discussion of health and mental wellbeing
Working together to provide a holistic, effective approach across home and school
75% of mental health issues start before the age of 24
Students are in an important life stage for interventions and developing new and positive norms

3. Signs and symptoms Change in sleep patterns Becoming withdrawn
Friendship groups: Can become less or more social than usual
Change in eating patterns
Change in appearance
Personality shifts
Problems at school
Change in appearance: weight loss or gain, lack of self care, skin tone

4. Challenging times in the year for students
Beginning of the school year
Mock exam period (Autumn term)
January: Weather change, Period after receiving mock and tracker grades
Easter: Coursework due dates, Subject interventions
May: Period leading to and during exam and assessments

5. Wellbeing – how can I support my child at home?
Leading by example
Creating opportunities for interactions with your children
Listening during both positive and negative times to your child
Open communication between school and home
Monitoring social media access
Be aware of important academic dates
No issue is too small!

6. Wellbeing – In what ways do we support your child at APS?
Assemblies that encourage positive health and wellbeing, use of social media and the internet, and other issues that affect students
Sessions that focus on developing study skills
Extracurricular activities that support creativity, physical activity and studying
Tutor time activities that encourage reflection on health and wellbeing
Clear and supportive pathway for students
Including the bridge, outside agencies

7. How to support parent and carers wellbeing
We are a team – home and school must communicate to build a complete picture
Interact with other parents
No issue is too small – everything pieces together to create a full picture
Practice what you preach – following a good diet, having a positive mind-set and staying active will encourage children to do the same
Look after yourselves – it is a challenging time for you too!

8. Tools and resources
Calm Harm – an app that gives teens different methods of calming or distracting themselves when they are overwhelmed
Calm – a guided breathing app to help with meditation and calming
Respect yourself app – targeted blogs and messages for how to deal with challenging situations that students will face over KS4
Mindshift app – app that makes it easier to understand anxiety, how to work with it, tools for combatting it and lets students keep track of how they feel on a day to day or situational basis.