Pupil Wellbeing

AS tracking

AS (Affective Social) Tracking is a bi-annual online assessment completed by our pupils from Year 7, which builds an emerging social and emotional narrative for each pupil. In many ways, this mirrors our academic tracking processes; each  pupil’s academic development is tracked so that we can target academic support and challenge.  In tracking pupils’ emerging social and emotional development, we can further target our pastoral support and challenge.

AS Tracking makes visible each pupil’s voice, perhaps revealing what we may not have seen through our interactions, professional judgement and relationships with our pupils. Pupils’ emerging AS Tracking narrative sits alongside and adds to our existing pastoral processes; it does not replace them. Pupil data guides our pastoral staff in targeting the particular experiences, opportunities and messages that would most benefit individual pupils. 

Mental Health First Aid Training

Taught from Year 1, the foundation of PSHE is built around developing emotional intelligence and resilience. Skills for good mental health are covered, including a focus on the practice of mindfulness, supporting pupils to stay calm and focused, 
particularly important during their exam years. 

Personal, Social and Health Education (PSHE)
PSHE is taught from Reception, with its foundation built around developing emotional intelligence and resilience. Skills for good mental health are covered, including a focus on the practice of mindfulness which is particularly useful for pupils to stay calm and focused during their important exam years. Mindfulness techniques are introduced to children from an early age in the Prep School and is often used by teachers at the beginning of lessons to refocus their pupils during a busy school day.

Peer Counselling
Year 12 pupils may volunteer to become peer counsellors, receiving training on MHFA, sexual health, 
substance misuse and digital safety. This means that they can be effective in supporting younger pupils with a range of issues. 

When a child or young person is in distress and needing support, there are a range of different techniques our counsellors may use. We firmly believe that everybody has it  in their power to heal themselves and this can be done using  creative therapies such as art, sand play or play therapy. These gentle and non-threatening methods allow each young person to work through what is troubling them at a very deep level. This is especially suitable for the very young or for those who find verbalising their feelings very difficult and they usually find it great fun! 

Many young people just want somebody with whom to talk things through so that they can develop new coping strategies to help them build their resilience.  For these, we offer the traditional ‘talking therapy’ type of approach. 

The Wellbeing Centre is home to our in-school Counselling Service, where we have three experienced members of staff available. We are also able to call on the services of a CBT therapist, consultant psychotherapist and a family therapist when necessary. These specialists come to school to provide their services and work closely with the wellbeing team and parents. All sessions take place in our purpose-built counselling rooms.

Our senior pupils are able to ask  for counselling directly and in confidence, although they will always be encouraged to talk to their parents. Counselling for Prep School pupils is provided after consultation with parents. We offer six sessions free of charge, which is usually enough for most of our pupils. However, it is possible to offer long term work for those who need more; the cost of subsequent sessions can be  added to the school bill with parental permission.

Future developments will see all Felsted teachers trained in Mental Health First Aid, and a range of external speakers will be scheduled to deliver key messages for our pupils and staff. The care of each and every person in our school community remains the priority for Felsted.