Wellbeing at Kells Lane
Happy children are the best learners.
At Kells Lane, wellbeing is not an add-on — it is woven into everything we do. We understand that children cannot access learning if they do not feel emotionally safe and regulated. That is why we invest in wellbeing support for every child, not just those who are struggling.
Our Wellbeing Lead
Our dedicated Wellbeing Lead is Rebecca Smith, who works across the school to support children’s emotional health, provide early intervention, and work alongside families and external agencies where needed. Rebecca is available to speak with parents and carers who have concerns about their child’s emotional wellbeing. Please contact the school office to arrange a conversation.
The THRIVE Approach
Kells Lane is a THRIVE school. The THRIVE Approach is an evidence-based, neuroscience informed framework that helps us understand each child’s emotional and social development and tailor our support accordingly. THRIVE gives our staff the tools to identify when a child needs additional support, and provides a structured, compassionate way of meeting that need — whether through everyday classroom interactions or more targeted provision. For children who need a little more support, THRIVE sessions provide a safe, nurturing space to develop emotional resilience, build confidence and strengthen their sense of self. Find out more about the THRIVE Approach at -
Melva — Mental Health Education for KS2
In Key Stage 2, children at Kells Lane follow the Melva programme — an award-winning, creative digital programme that teaches children aged 7–11 about mental health and wellbeing through storytelling, animation and hands-on activities. Melva centres on the character of Melva Mapletree, a young girl navigating anxiety, bereavement and life’s challenges. Through her story, our children explore:
• The NHS 5 Ways to Wellbeing
• How to recognise and manage big feelings
• Practical self-management strategies rooted in research
• How to ask for help and support others
Melva is for every child — not just those who are struggling. It builds the emotional vocabulary and resilience skills that children carry with them for life. Find out more about Melva at -
Emotional literacy and Regulation
Across the school, children learn the language of emotions. They develop the vocabulary to name how they feel, the strategies to manage big feelings, and the confidence to ask for help when they need it. This work begins in our earliest years and grows with our children through every year group. By the time children leave Kells Lane, emotional literacy is not something they have been taught — it is something they live.
A trauma-informed school
Every member of staff at Kells Lane — including our office and support staff — is trained in trauma-informed practice. This means that everyone your child encounters in our school understands how adverse experiences can affect a child’s behaviour, learning and relationships, and is equipped to respond with compassion, consistency and care. Being trauma-informed is not a programme or a policy. It is a way of seeing every child — and it shapes how we speak, how we listen and how we support, every single day.
Gateshead Schools Health & Wellbeing Service
Kells Lane is an affiliated member of the Gateshead Schools Health and Wellbeing Service, coordinated by the Gateshead School Sports Partnership — and we subscribe to the optional Health & Wellbeing ‘EXTRA’ package, going beyond the standard offer to ensure our children and families have access to the widest possible range of provision. This service supports our school across four areas: emotional health and wellbeing, healthy eating, personal and social education, and physical activity. It connects us to a network of health and wellbeing professionals, resources and CPD, ensuring our approach to children’s health is always current, evidence-informed and joined-up. When children need additional support, we work closely with a range of external agencies to ensure children receive the right support at the right time. This includes educational psychologists, speech and language therapists, CAMHS, and other specialist services. We also work in close partnership with families, because we believe that a child’s wellbeing is best supported when home and school work together.
If you have any concerns about your child’s emotional health or wellbeing, please do not hesitate to get in touch. There is no concern too small.