Wellbeing at Polam School & Nursery
At Polam School & Nursery, there is a core belief that for a child to truly flourish academically, they must first feel secure, understood, and emotionally resilient.
Wellbeing isn’t just a “bolt-on” to the school day; it is the essential foundation upon which a strong, kind, and capable individual is built.
Our CORE Values
By nurturing these traits, the school ensures children are equipped to navigate the world with a positive mindset. These values link directly to a commitment to wellbeing, providing the framework children need to grow into well- rounded, healthy people.
Curiosity
Optimism
Resilience
Empathy
Inclusion and Belonging: Thriving Through Individuality
Polam is committed to creating an environment where every child feels a deep sense of belonging. Central to this is the recognition that all behaviour is communication.
Rather than simply reacting to actions, the school seeks to understand each child’s differences and their unique individuality. By identifying and breaking down specific barriers to learning, Polam ensures that the environment is adapted to the child, providing the right space for every individual to thrive. This inclusive approach ensures that empathy and resilience are at the heart of every interaction.
Specialist Mental Health Teaching
Polam is proud to offer a dedicated focus on mental health that begins in the earliest years. A specialist teacher and qualified mental health coach teaches RISE (Resilience in School Education) to all classes from Saplings through to Year 2.
These sessions are designed to build optimism and resilience by focusing on:
Confidence & Competence
Developing self-belief through mastery experiences, recognising achievements, and building overall confidence.Character
Building a strong sense of self by identifying personal values and finding unique strengths.
Coping
Learning healthy ways to manage big feelings using tools like diaphragmatic breathing and positive reframing.Connectedness
Strengthening the sense of belonging through close peerrelationships, adult networks, and a positive class identity.Enjoyment
Encouraging a curious, joyful approach to learning while valuing mistakes through a growth mindset.
A Culture of Celebration & Connection
Wellbeing is lived through weekly rituals that encourage empathy and collective joy.
The week begins with Mindful Monday assemblies. Often led by the children, these sessions spark curiosity about mental health and set an optimistic tone for the week.
Polam celebrates events like World Mental Health Day and Random Acts of Kindness Day, teaching children that empathy and acts of kindness are global languages.
A highlight of the calendar is Polam’s own “Week to be Well,”; where children explore the 5 Ways to Wellbeing, building the resilience needed to maintain their own mental health.
High-energy Celebration Assemblies honour Stars of the Week and Out of This World awards, reinforcing optimism and positive praise for effort.
Each Friday, “class kindness” is celebrated by counting kindness chips. This practice rewards empathy, giving back, and contribution to the school community.
Ruby: The Wellbeing Dog
A very special member of the Polam team is Ruby, the school wellbeing dog. Ruby plays a vital role in pastoral care, helping children feel calm and connected. Through Ruby, children practise empathy and kindness, learning to read the needs of others.
Her presence provides the emotional stability and predictability children need to remain curious and ready to learn.
Fuelling a Healthy Body and Mind
Healthy children need healthy fuel. Polam advocates for balanced nutrition to
Balanced Nutrition
Home-cooked, wholesome meals support steady energy and optimistic moods.
Fresh Access
Fresh fruit and water are always available to fuel curious minds.
Mindful Treats
A focus on yoghurt and fresh fruit most of the week helps children learn the importance of nourishing their bodies.
Interoception & Emotion Coaching
Regulation is a skill that begins in the body. Polam teaches Interoception – the ability to recognise and understand internal body signals all the way from our littlest children in the Acorns room up to Year 2.
To support this, each classroom features a dedicated Emotion Station. These areas provide a safe space for children to share their feelings at different points throughout the school day. By starting young, Polam children become curious detectives of their own bodies, using these stations to recognise the “clues” their bodies give them.
This builds the resilience to manage their emotions and behaviours before they reach a point of System Overload.
Pupil Voice: Autonomy & Purpose
Polam believes that when children have autonomy and feel they have a voice, they develop a sense of agency that is fundamental to their self-esteem and mental health.
Through Restorative Practice, children resolve conflicts by finding solutions and viewing situations through a lens of empathy. Whether it is the School Council or daily voting, children are given the autonomy to feel in control of their environment and learn to tolerate what they cannot control. This empowers them to be optimistic about their ability to affect change. Regular Pupil Questionnaires consistently show that children feel happy, healthy, and heard – shaping the very future of the school.
Book a Personal Tour
On our tours, you will have the opportunity to meet our Head and other key members of staff, and learn more about what an early education at Polam School looks like.