Penns Primary School

Well-being has been defined as the combination of feeling good and functioning well; the experience of positive emotions such as happiness and contentment as well as the development of one’s potential, having some control over one’s life, having a sense of purpose, and experiencing positive relationships. It is a sustainable condition that allows the individual or population to develop and thrive. The term subjective well-being is synonymous with positive mental health. The World Health Organization defines positive mental health as “a state of well-being in which the individual realises his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community”. This conceptualisation of well-being goes beyond the absence of mental ill health, encompassing the perception that life is going well.

At Penns Primary we operate a psychologically safe space where staff feel supported, are treated with kindness and are able to thrive in a positive environment experiencing high challenge yet low threat. We believe in a climate of trust where Penns' staff are able to concentrate their energies and talents for the betterment of our pupils rather than engaging in unproductive and misdirected activity associated with concerns about others' motives and unnecessary bureaucracy.

'If things are not working, we are encouraged to say so. This is underpinned by openness throughout the system, especially in terms of data and accountability. We work hard to keep things transparent, but we don't use the data or knowledge for blame but as a means to identify issues and tackle them'.

Penns Primary also subscribe to the DFE wellbeing Charter

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/education-staff-wellbeing-charter 

We use the charter to...

• show staff that we take their wellbeing seriously
• open a conversation with staff about their wellbeing and mental health
• create a staff wellbeing strategy
• create a wellbeing-focused culture

What we offer:

Openness and honesty

Kindness

Support

Realistic work/life balance

1:1 well being sessions

A reflective approach

Willingness to listen

Clear procedures and policies

A 'done with' not 'done to' approach 

Wellbeing is so important to us here that we make a point of mentioning it on our emails and live by this on a daily basis.

Wellbeing is a priority at Penns Primary School, therefore, there is no expectation to reply to this e-mail outside of your normal working hours.