Smitham Primary School

The leadership team are mindful of staff workload and actively seek to ensure that new initiatives and existing strategies effectively and efficiently support the teaching and learning of each child and the development of staff, without impacting adversely on workload.

Smitham has appointed a Well-being Governor and there is a member of the Senior Leadership team with the responsibility for supporting staff mental wellbeing. This staff member is also training in Mental Health First Aid. 

We have seven different councils which give our children a 'voice' and a chance to represent their year group/class. The children see the value of these councils and how they have been instrumental in effecting change, for example: deciding upon the resources for developing our PE provision outside; designing an historical timeline and an influential figures display to celebrate diversity; designing a Wellbeing Garden that was then created with the help of our families on our Grounds' Day. 

Communication underpins our partnership with parents. Our 'open-door' approach ensures effective access to teachers and senior leaders at all times.  

We have also developed an Anxiety Leaflet to help support parents who feel their child may be showing signs of anxiety. (A copy of this is at the bottom of the page.)

Parent Gym: A member of school staff is trained to deliver in-house Parent Gym sessions to parents. This training covers a variety of topics such as bedtime routines, homework, sibling disputes etc. The sessions aim to encourage parents to reflect on the dynamics within the family and Parent Gym techniques that can be used to help develop a more harmonious and calmer environment.