PASTORAL CARE in schools Children’s mental health has hit a worrying low, according to a raft of research from charities and professional bodies. From anxieties caused by exam stress and social media to the devastating toll of the pandemic, the picture has never been starker. MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT IN SCHOOLS Schools have a key part to play both in terms of prevention and picking up the pieces when things escalate, but the picture here isn’t great either. ‘Provision in schools is patchy and fragmented – having a counsellor isn’t even mandatory in schools,’ says David Stephenson, senior policy and campaigns officer at the charity Mind. Good news is that Ofsted and ISI now assess personal development, which includes mental health in schools. Areas such as resilience, confidence, independence, and how to keep mentally healthy are all covered. As part of pastoral care in schools, all schools have to provide a mental health and relationships curriculum, and the government has committed to a £1,200 training grant for each school to ensure a whole school approach, albeit by 2025. AWARENESS TRAINING FOR TEACHERS A positive step towards good mental health in children is the growth in training staff in mental health first aid. At Lord Wandsworth College, a co-ed day and boarding senior school in Hampshire, this goes for all staff. ‘It means they know what to look out for and what to do when a pupil comes to them – in some cases that will be a listening ear and reassurance, other times support or signposting,’ says headteacher Adam Williams, who adds that staff wellbeing in schools is also a priority for them. PEER SUPPORT The school has a peer mentoring programme whereby young people are trained to support one another and break down the stigma often associated by mental health. ‘Sometimes you feel safer and more 10 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk comfortable talking to someone nearer your age – and they are just more likely to understand,’ said a pupil on our recent visit. The school also involves parents, running talks and giving practical advice on how to support teenagers. WELLBEING HUBS A dedicated wellbeing hub is one way to address mental health issues in children. At Malvern St James, an all-through girls’ day and boarding school, The Hive is described by Zinnia Wilkinson, director of pastoral care, as ‘a comfortable, welcoming space where pupils can just be but also see a counsellor for a 30-minute session just for one or two weeks because sometimes that’s all they need.’ MENTAL HEALTH VS GRADES Wilkinson points out that parents often perceive a school to be good pastorally or academically, but not both. ‘In fact if a school is pastorally strong, it’s in the best position to thrive academically,’ she says. Sophie Blunt, housemistress at Wycombe Abbey, a day and boarding senior school for girls, agrees. Outstanding pastoral care might not be the first thing you think of at one of the top academic schools for girls, and yet many of the parents we spoke to whose daughters had needed intervention were full of praise for how the school had responded. ‘Wellbeing education is at the heart of our curriculum – it’s on timetable for every girl,’ she says. For Dean Taylor, associate headteacher at Seven Kings School, a co-ed state school for 4-18 in east London, it’s the relationship between staff and pupils that holds the key to positive mental health in schools. ‘The ethos is more important than anything and you can walk around this school and see that it’s inclusive, friendly, safe and with clear and consistent boundaries,’ he says. The school pays particular attention to pressure points such as exam time and makes sure every child has a trusted adult. There’s a joined-up approach with the SENCO too, in the knowledge that youngsters with conditions such as ADHD and autism can be particularly at risk of mental health problems. ‘The most vulnerable pupils have a onepage profile that’s shared with all staff,’ he adds. DISCIPLINE Nearly half of young people are disciplined at school for behaviour related to their mental health, according to Mind’s latest research. One in four school staff were aware of a student being excluded from school because of their mental health. Seven Kings avoids this by never taking behaviour at face value. ‘It’s about conversations and getting pupils to reflect if they’ve broken rules. Were you in the right place at the right time with the right people, and if not what can we do to fix that? Who was affected? And what could you do next time? These repetitive questions from all staff help them self-regulate,’ says Taylor. The full article is available to read online - Article from The Good Schools Guide - an excellent resource for parents. goodschoolsguide.co.uk
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