At St Bernard’s Preparatory School, we are committed to promoting positive mental health and emotional wellbeing to all children, their families, members of staff and governors. The school's caring ethos and environment has a positive impact on staff and pupil wellbeing and there is a whole school approach to mental health and wellbeing.

Through the use of effective policies and procedures we ensure a safe and supportive environment for all affected – both directly and indirectly – by mental health issues. Mental Health issues often begin during school aged years. At St Bernard's Preparatory School, we recognise that early intervention is crucial. The school’s role in this is summarised in four key points/actions – prevention, identification, early support and access to specialist support.

At St Bernard’s Preparatory School there are clear expectations of behaviour. St Bernard’s is a calm, safe, caring and supportive environment. Staff and children's wellbeing are promoted implicitly through lived values and attitudes and through the curriculum. Mental Health is not stigmatised. All staff understand behaviour as a method of communication and there is flexibility in our behaviour policy to allow for behaviours that are the result of emotional difficulties.

There is a clear pathway of identification and referral, both internally and to specialist services. Families, outside agencies and the wider community are proactively engaged in the life of the school. The school has a member of staff, ably supported by a forward-thinking Wellbeing Team, who is responsible for the school's approach to mental health.