HONITON COMMUNITY COLLEGE
"Success for All"
Emotional Wellbeing
In recognition of the unprecedented challenges which the outbreak and extended periods of self-isolation can pose, Public Health England has published new online guidance setting out principles to follow to help people to manage their mental health during this difficult time, such as:
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maintaining contact with friends and family via telephone and video calls, or social media
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keeping a regular routine and sleeping pattern
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focusing on a hobby or learning something new
Parents and carers will also benefit from tailored advice on how to support children and young people with stress during the coronavirus outbreak, which includes providing clear information, being aware of their own reactions and creating a new routine.
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https://youngminds.org.uk/blog/what-to-do-if-you-re-anxious-about-coronavirus/
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https://youngminds.org.uk/blog/talking-to-your-child-about-coronavirus/
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https://youngminds.org.uk/blog/looking-after-your-mental-health-while-self-isolating/
School Nurse Chat: 07520631722, this is a texting service for all 11-19 years olds.
Hub number: 0333 234 1903
Parents are encouraged to email us on rde-tr.easternphnhub@nhs.net
EH4MH Champions
Emotional Health and Wellbeing Champions work closely with the school nurse and we meet regularly to discuss how the college can continue to raise awareness and help promote good mental health.
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Glenn Smith - Principal
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Selena Burroughs - Head of 6th Form
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Clare O'Toole - Safeguarding Officer
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Nicola Thomas - Mental Health and Wellbeing Lead
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Sian Peace - Mental Health and Wellbeing Practitioner
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Jo Harvey-Ingram - Science technician with Mental Health background
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Hannah Bown - Second in PE Department and Head of Life Skills
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Emily Meek - Deputy Safeguarding Officer
Resilience, Curiosity, Leadership and Community
At Honiton Community College we aim to support and nurture our students so they develop characters which allow them to thrive in the 21st century. We aim to encourage the emotional wellbeing of our students by helping them to select and use a range of strategies to support their growth. These strategies will encourage a willingness to accept personal challenges which give them the opportunities to find out about who they are and what they can achieve. The aim is to encourage our students to take responsibility for developing the character traits they need to allow them to thrive and achieve their ambitions.
Developing student’s emotional wellbeing and supporting strong mental health is a partnership between students, parent, staff and the community.
Wellbeing Lessons in PHSE
Some strategies will be formally taught in our PHSE (Personal Health and Social Education) lessons and are adapted from the Living Life to the Full (LLTTF) programme from Glasgow University. LLTTF is based on Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) which has a wide research base and has been shown to be effective in supporting people with mental health difficulties. These foundation strategies will be explored through a range of scenarios and further developed with students being asked to choose areas of their life they would like to improve.
Building Character in the Curriculum
Further strategies will be taught, practiced and utilised in the classroom through a wide range of teaching and learning challenges for our students. The foundation of these strategies is Building Learning Power which is based on an extensive body of research from Professor Guy Claxton. The aim is to make the habits of learning and thinking explicit for our students to prepare them for a lifetime of learning.
Building Character Award Program
Students will have the opportunity to practice these strategies to work towards our Character Awards. Resilience, Curiosity, Leadership and Community are the strands in each award and our students will set themselves challenges in each one to work towards the award they are aiming to achieve. This program was piloted as part of the East Devon Consortium Character Education Grant and are awarded at Bronze, Silver and Gold level. Each award requires students to set a range of personal challenges, collect evidence and reflect on their journey. Their tutor will help and guide them through the awards with our sixth form mentors helping students who would like some more support.
Awareness across the college
Creating a supportive culture for all students and staff is an essential element of developing emotional wellbeing. During assemblies, tutor sessions and lessons, teachers and staff will aim to make students aware of emotional wellbeing and mental health issues. We will create an open culture so students and staff can discuss these issues and, importantly, know how to access support when they need it the most.
Pastoral Support
At some time in our lives, we will all experience low moments and for most people, this is a perfectly normal response to those difficult or sad moments in our life. These experiences are an important part of the richness of life and give us all the opportunity to grow, learn and develop as individuals.
There are times when feelings can start to overwhelm us and if this continues it may lead to mental health difficulties. Honiton has a strong pastoral support team and this support starts with each tutor. Tutors are aware of the difficulties young people can face with their mental health and have been trained in coaching techniques (Using the GROW Model) and the strategies used in living life to the full.
For those students who need slightly more support our Student Wellbeing Coordinators (SWCs) are there to provide the help they may need. Often their support and time are enough for most children to feel better and continue enjoying the challenges of life.
However, for those students who need more specialist therapies, the SWCs and Heads of Year can request additional provision from a wide range of school services and external providers.
Requesting Help
We really encourage students and parents to discuss their emotional wellbeing and if they are experiencing any difficulty to ask for support. If you or someone you know needs help then please contact the College.
Links for Further Support
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Mindfulness in Schools - Mindfulness in Schools Project. Nicola Thomas is trained to teach mindfulness in Schools and does this with selected small groups to help overcome anxiety, negative thoughts and promote well being.
Supporting Students
Supporting Parents
Supporting Staff / Mental Health and Wellbeing Educational Resources
Support for Feelings Around Suicide