ABSTRACT
The ethos of the school concerns the values and beliefs of the school community that underpin custom and practice throughout the school. It is important for schools to support and promote emotional well-being and mental health, and to provide the optimum conditions for academic achievement. The implicit messages a child receives from within the school community can have an enormous influence on their well-being. Building good relationships and maintaining high expectations for all students is of vital importance. This includes: ‘practices that encourage feelings of emotional security and the development of high self-esteem based on trusting and supportive educational relationships.’ The effectiveness of the pastoral care system is crucial in supporting children and young people’s mental health, well-being and academic development. A personal, social and health curriculum which includes support for understanding mental health issues should be in place in schools. Careful differentiation of the curriculum is vital to optimise each pupil’s learning potential.
