Supporting Emotional Wellbeing Together

 

At Sutton School, emotional wellbeing remains at the heart of everything we do. Many of our pupils can experience heightened anxiety, emotional dysregulation or difficulties managing change and uncertainty. Through our Wellbeing Hub, ELSA support, counselling interventions and therapeutic approaches, we continue to provide compassionate support tailored to individual needs.

We understand that mornings, transitions and returning to school after weekends or holidays can sometimes feel overwhelming. Maintaining predictable routines at home, preparing children for changes in advance and using calm reassurance can all support emotional regulation and reduce anxiety.

Our staff continue to work closely with families to identify barriers to attendance and wellbeing, ensuring pupils feel safe, understood and supported in school. We are incredibly proud of the resilience shown by many of our pupils this half-term. For more information and resources in this area, please visit here.

 

Building Confidence Through Boxing

Our boxing intervention with BoxClever continues to have a hugely positive impact across school. Pupils taking part have shown improvements in emotional regulation, confidence, resilience and engagement within lessons.

The sessions provide pupils with a safe and structured opportunity to release emotions positively, build trusting relationships and develop self-belief. Many pupils who previously struggled to regulate emotions or engage in learning have responded incredibly well to the intervention.

Pupil voice has been overwhelmingly positive, with pupils sharing comments such as:

• “It helps calm my brain down.”
• “I feel more confident after boxing.”
• “It helps me deal with anger better.”

We would like to extend a huge thank you to Craig from BoxClever for his continued dedication and support towards our pupils.

 

Attendance Matters

Good attendance continues to be a key priority across Sutton School. Regular attendance supports not only academic progress but also emotional wellbeing, friendships, routines and confidence.

This half-term we have seen many pupils make significant improvements in their attendance despite overcoming complex barriers. We would like to thank families for continuing to work alongside school to support attendance positively and compassionately.

Our attendance figures continue to compare positively against national averages for SEN schools in a number of areas, and we are particularly proud of pupils who have shown improved resilience around attending school regularly.

We understand that some pupils experience anxiety-based barriers to attendance, and our focus always remains on understanding need, reducing barriers and providing support alongside families and external agencies where appropriate.

Safeguarding & Online Safety

As technology and social media continue to play a large part in young people’s lives, we would like to remind families about the importance of online safety.

Please continue to monitor:

• group chats and online gaming interactions
• fake or anonymous social media accounts
• inappropriate messaging
• online peer pressure and friendship difficulties

We encourage open conversations with children about staying safe online and reminding them that they should always speak to a trusted adult if something online makes them feel worried, upset or unsafe.

Healthy friendships are built on kindness, respect and boundaries, both online and offline. See here for more information.

 

National Smile Month – Oral Health Matters!

This term we are also recognising National Smile Month, which promotes the importance of good oral health and healthy habits.

Good oral hygiene is important not only for physical health but also for confidence, self-esteem and overall wellbeing. Some children and young people with SEND may experience sensory barriers around toothbrushing routines, certain textures or dental visits, so small consistent steps can make a huge difference.

Top tips for supporting oral health at home:

• Brush teeth twice daily using fluoride toothpaste
• Reduce sugary snacks and fizzy drinks where possible
• Encourage regular water intake
• Attend regular dental check-ups
• Use visual routines or timers to support independence

Remember — a healthy smile supports a healthy body and mind!

Preparation for Adulthood

Our older pupils continue to engage in a range of exciting preparation for adulthood opportunities, including college transition work, employability support, independent travel training and vocational experiences.

We are incredibly proud of the progress many pupils are making towards adulthood and independence. Several pupils are continuing to work towards qualifications,  and college placements ready for the next stage of their journey.

Transition can feel both exciting and emotional, and we will continue working closely with families to support pupils through these important changes. Please see here for more support.

Community & Family Support During Half Term

As we approach the May Half Term break, we would like to remind families that there is a wide range of support, activities and services available across Dudley for children, young people and parents.

Half term can be a wonderful opportunity for families to rest, reconnect and spend quality time together, but we also recognise that holidays can sometimes bring additional pressures for families, particularly around routines, childcare, emotional wellbeing and finances.

There are a number of local services available to support families during the break, including:

• Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programmes

• SEND friendly youth clubs and activities

• Emotional wellbeing and mental health support

• Food and community support services

• Family hubs and parenting support

• Sports, sensory and creative activities for children and young people

Families may wish to explore support through:

• Dudley Family Hubs

• Dudley Holiday Activities & Food (HAF) Programme

• Dudley SEND Local Offer

• Community Shop

• FareShare Midlands

• Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust – Mental Health Support

• Dudley Council Cost of Living Support

We encourage families to continue maintaining routines where possible during the break, particularly around sleep, screen time and emotional regulation, as this can help support a smoother transition back into school after the holidays.

Please remember that you are never alone and support is always available. If you require any guidance, signposting or support following the half term break, please do not hesitate to contact the Family Liaison Team at Sutton School, who will always be happy to help.

 

Dates for the Diary

1st June 2026: School reopens to pupils following May Half Term.

4th June 2026: “Let’s Make Friends” transition session for new starters.

8th June 2026: Duke of Edinburgh Expedition.

16th June 2026: Loudmouth Theatre Company in school for Year 11 pupils. Loudmouth are an educational theatre company delivering engaging performances and workshops around safeguarding, relationships and personal safety.

24th June 2026: Year 11 trip to Drayton Manor.

25th June 2026: Year 11 Prom.

26th June 2026: Year 11 Leavers Day.

15th July 2026: Trees Phase Silent Disco.

16th July 2026: Hills and Rivers Phase Silent Disco.