Mental Health

Hedingham School and Sixth Form believes in creating an environment where every member of our school community has an understanding of mental health, can identify if they or someone else need support and know how to access this support.

To ensure there is a continued dialogue about the pressures of 21st century life, Hedingham School and Sixth Form has half termly Well-Being weeks for both staff and students.

In addition to this, Hedingham School has a whole school mental health framework to help students recognise, show and regulate emotions. It is called ‘Mood Scales.’ Mood Scales help students identify how they are feeling and give a language to how the young person is feeling. ‘I am feeling yellow today.’

In turn, these help us identify who needs support and underpin the design of our personal, social and health education provision.

Green
Settled, safe, happy place
The Green Zone is used to describe a calm state of alertness. A person may be described as happy, focused, content or ready to learn when in the Green Zone. This is the zone where optimal learning occurs.

Red
High Anxiety, anger
The Red Zone is used to describe extremely heightened states of alertness and intense emotions. A person may be elated or experiencing anger, rage, explosive behaviour, devastation or terror.

Blue
Low, lethargic
The Blue Zone is used to describe low states of alertness and down feelings such as when one feels sad,

Yellow
Uncomfortable, slightly anxious
The Yellow Zone is used to describe a heightened state of alertness and elevated emotions. However, one has more control when they are in the Yellow Zone. A person may be experiencing stress, frustration, anxiety, excitement, silliness or nervousness.

If similar issues are identified across a form group or cohort, tutor time sessions will be designed around this identified need.

However, we also offer individualised support for students where personalised triggers and support strategies are identified.

The techniques for overcoming the moods should, ideally, come from the young person with support from the adult.