Our SchoolSupport for Families
Support for families
At our school, we know that when parents and carers feel supported, children flourish. That’s why we place just as much importance on the wellbeing of our families as we do on our pupils. Whether you need a listening ear, helpful guidance, or simply a place to connect with other parents, our team is here for you. We offer a variety of informal drop‑ins, friendly chats, and access to wellbeing resources so you never feel you’re facing challenges alone.
We believe wholeheartedly in the power of community. Throughout the year, we host relaxed workshops and family focused events designed to nurture confidence, resilience, and positive relationships at home. These sessions give parents a safe space to share experiences, learn new strategies, and build supportive friendships. By caring for the wellbeing of our whole school family, we create the warm, nurturing environment every child deserves.
Useful Wellbeing Websites and local resources for families
Below are some trusted websites that offer helpful guidance and support for children’s wellbeing at home.
Financial support
Free school meals - Without realising, you may be eligible to claim for free school meals. It is easy to check and could make a huge difference to your weekly food shops. https://apply.cloudforedu.org.uk/ofsm/sims
Community larder - A community larder is a ‘pop-up’ hub, a place to access food that is surplus, make friends, access additional services and save money on your bills. Some larders have been set up like your average store, even fitted by our friends at the Co-op. All Community Larders are unique in their own way, “reducing food waste, creating opportunities, engaging with communities”. Community Larder Locations - SOFEA
Food bank - If you think you would benefit from visiting the Food Bank, please click the title link to find out how to get in touch. http://mkfoodbank.org.uk/i-need-help-2/
Turn2us is a national charity that helps people in financial hardship to gain access to welfare benefits, charitable grants and support services. There is an online benefits calculator and advice. Please click on the title link. https://www.turn2us.org.uk/get-support
MKMoney Lifeline offer free confidential money advice to anyone in the Milton Keynes area. Our services are provided by a team of trained volunteers who give advice in accordance with the training provided by Community Money Advice. Please click the title link to find out how to contact them. https://www.mkmoneylifeline.org.uk/Money_Lifeline/Main.html
If you’re more than 10 weeks pregnant or have a child under 4, you may be entitled to get help to buy healthy food and milk. If you’re eligible, you’ll be sent a Healthy Start card with money on it that you can use in some UK shops. Your benefit would be added onto this card every 4 weeks. Click the title link to find out more. https://www.healthystart.nhs.uk/how-to-apply/
Pre-loved uniform - We have welcomed some wonderful donations of pre-loved uniform to help work towards reducing clothes wastage. Please email the office with requests including name, sizes etc or speak directly to the class teacher if you are in need of anything.
Bereavement
Children and young people grieve just as much as adults but they show it in different ways. They learn how to grieve by copying the responses of the adults around them, and rely on adults to provide them with the support they need in their grief.
Books that can support you in talking to your child –
The Heart and the Bottle - Oliver Jeffers
Sad Book – Michael Rosen
Goodbye Mog - Judith Kerr
Websites and groups that offer support
Harry’s Rainbow support children bereaved of a parent or sibling in Milton Keynes predominantly but can support those outside of the area too providing they are able to access our services which are based in Milton Keynes. The main parent or carer of a bereaved child or young person can register to access their service at any time following the death and there is no cut off time or time limit to their provision. Homepage - Harry's Rainbow
Winston’s Wish - If a young person you know is finding it hard to cope with their grief and you want to help them then give them a call. Everyone and anyone who is supporting a grieving child can call their Freephone National Helpline on 08088 020 021. You can find out more here
Cruse Bereavement Care Cruse Bereavement Care support you and your family after the death of someone close they provide face-to-face group support that is delivered by trained bereavement support volunteers across the UK. We also offer information
publications and support for children. http://www.cruse.org.uk/
Mental Health Support
We are lucky enough to be receiving support from the Milton Keynes Mental Health Support Team for individual children and families as well as supporting larger groups in school.
The Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs) is an early intervention service that works in partnership with local schools to offer a whole school approach to mental health and wellbeing.
The team are delivering evidence-based interventions to support young people aged 5 to 18, and their families with mild to moderate mental health difficulties. This includes anxiety and/or depression needs.
They provide support through:
Training and workshops for both schools and parents
Group programmes
1:1 interventions where indicated by need
They offer individual and group work through effective, low-intensity, interventions for children, young people, and their families, who are experiencing:
Anxiety
Low mood
Behavioural difficulties
They collaborate with schools to champion a whole school approach to mental health and wellbeing, empowering them to support the wellbeing of all their students and staff.
If you feel your child would be suitable for this service please speak to one our Learning Mentors; Mrs Mena at Oxley Park or Ms Yeboah at Shenley Wood or Mrs Morris, Well-being Lead at Oxley Park about making a referral. Or, you can find out more about the service here - MHST.
CAMHS - Milton Keynes CAMHS :: Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust
Mental Health Support - YoungMinds | Mental Health Charity For Children And Young People | YoungMinds
Mental Health - Mind BLMK - For better mental health Mental Health
Support for Children and Young people - Mental health support for children and young people - NHS