Children at Grindon Infant School follow a coherent, age-appropriate programme of personal development that extends across the curriculum and wider opportunities and experiences. There is a positive impact to children and enables them to develop spiritually, morally, socially and culturally.
Whole School Nurture Programme
Grindon Infant School, from this academic year, proudly collaborates with the Nurture UK programme to create a supportive and inclusive learning environment. This evidence-based approach focuses on emotional well-being and social development, ensuring every child feels valued and understood. Through structured nurture groups and tailored interventions, we will help children build resilience, confidence and positive relationships. The programme promotes improved behaviour, enhanced engagement in learning, and stronger self-esteem, enabling children to thrive academically and personally. By prioritising emotional health alongside education, Grindon Infant School empowers children to reach their full potential and prepares them for lifelong success in a caring, nurturing community.
Mindfulness
Grindon Infant School is proud to be part of an innovative project in partnership with Sunderland University and Blue Jay Wellness, introducing mindfulness to all pupils. As part of this initiative, Blue Jay Wellness delivered comprehensive whole-staff training in September and provided ongoing coaching sessions to support implementation. Building on this foundation, our staff now lead daily mindfulness sessions within their classrooms, helping children develop focus, emotional regulation, and resilience. This collaborative approach promotes well-being across the school community, ensuring that mindfulness becomes an integral part of our curriculum and enhances every child’s learning experience.
Healthy Heads
From January 2025, the school will begin working in partnership with Healthy Heads to strengthen mental health and well-being provision. Healthy Heads supports children from Reception to further education by promoting mental health and well-being. The Mental Health Support Team works in three key ways: advising and training school staff, helping Mental Health Leads embed a whole-school approach through sessions and workshops, and delivering brief, evidence-based interventions for mild to moderate issues such as anxiety, low mood, self-harm, behavioural challenges, and resilience building.
Worry Boxes
Each classroom features a designated Well-Being calm area equipped with a Worry Box. This resource provides a structured, therapeutic approach to supporting pupils’ emotional health. Children are encouraged to write or draw their concerns and place them in the box. Staff review entries regularly and address issues sensitively through private discussions, ensuring timely and appropriate support.
Zones of Regulation
At Grindon Infant School, we are committed to helping every child understand and manage their emotions effectively. That’s why we’ve introduced the Zones of Regulation framework across our classrooms. This approach teaches children to recognise their feelings, categorise them into four simple zones, and use practical strategies to stay calm, focused, and ready to learn. By developing these skills early, pupils build resilience, improve behaviour and strengthen social relationships. Zones of Regulation is more than a tool—it’s a foundation for emotional well-being and lifelong success. Together, we’re creating a nurturing environment where every child can thrive.
Zones of Regulation Information
Here are some resources that you may find useful:
The Rainbow Guide
The Rainbow Guide project was created in 2023 by the team at Choice Wellbeing Service by parent carers, for parent carers. This link below gives a little idea of some of the services in the area. A yellow pages type guide to the organisations in Sunderland that is easy to read, simple, and explains exactly what these organisations do, but more importantly, what they DON’T do.
The Rainbow Guide | Healthwatch Sunderland
The link below shows you a list of Key Health/SEND Contacts for Sunderland
Sunderland HEALTH and SEND Communication Star October 2025
How to Nurture Children’s Mental Health
20 Things you can say and do to Support Your Child’s Mental Health.
https://www.place2be.org.uk/our-services/parents-and-carers/supporting-your-child-s-mental-health/
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coping with difficult feelings
