Health & Wellbeing

Wellbeing is our top priority at Felsted. With both an on-site medical centre and wellbeing centre, we ensure that our pupil's mental health is given the same attention and support as their physical health.

Although we hope to see our pupils navigate their school years with minimal disruption from their physical or mental health, we understand that growing up can be challenging, and we aim to offer the appropriate amount of support for every child that will allow them to grow and thrive.

Felsted has taken a lead in this area, showing children that it is absolutely okay to seek support for their mental wellbeing.
Felsted parent

Wellbeing Centre

Located in the heart of the senior school campus is our Wellbeing Centre, a calming hub where all members of the Felsted community can seek respite and access resources to support their mental health. The decor is natural, the furniture comfortable and the atmosphere calming, with a focus on a sensory experience.

From the youngest years our pupils become familiar with our Wellbeing Centre, through PSHE (Personal, Social, Health and Economic) lessons, peer counselling, yoga or mindfulness lessons. The importance of good mental health forms an integral part of our pastoral care offering with all our staff equipped to understand and look out for the mental wellbeing of their pupils, whether in the boarding houses, classrooms, at lunch or in co-curricular activities.

We take a whole-school approach to wellbeing and we work very closely with all departments across the school, especially Safeguarding, Support for Learning (SfL) and Student Services.

I understand the Wellbeing Centre is a place I can go to if I need some sanctuary and also that I can seek help if I feel I need it.
Year 12 pupil

Our Wellbeing Services

1. Prevention
2. Counselling

1. Prevention

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.

2. Counselling

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 four qualified therapists who have experience working with children and adolescents. If a referral to another service is needed we can provide this. 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.

Medical Centre

The Medical Centre is based on the school site and has a team of 8 registered and experienced school nurses and 1 health-care assistant who look after all the pupils' medical and emotional needs. During term time, there is always a nurse on duty day and night, and during morning surgery, there are always two nurses present.

We have access to a doctor's service day and night. From a medical point of view, the nurse on duty assesses each pupil on visiting the medical centre and implements the necessary treatment. The medical centre is well equipped to treat first aid and minor ailments. If further treatment is necessary, the nurse is able to consult the GP and organise transportation to the hospital or minor injury unit. All treatment administered is treated in strict confidence and recorded. Parents are kept informed when appropriate.

Confidentiality

Any child over the age of 16 is able to consent for their own treatment. Children under the age of 16, who fully understand their treatment and are mature, can give their own consent to treatment. The duty of confidentiality owed to a person under the age of 16 is as great as that owed to any other person. The nurses do encourage the pupils to inform their parents and keep them up to date. Nurses endeavour to inform parents as well when appropriate. Having said this, the law on confidentiality is clear. Nurses will ask parents to consent to immunisations necessary for travel and to complete the childhood immunisation programme.

Medicals

Health assessments are completed on all new pupils as soon as possible. This provides us with an opportunity to meet the pupil and allow us to explain about the service we provide.

We then carry out a basic examination of height, weight, blood pressure, sight and hearing. All health issues are discussed with the pupil and parents are informed. Full time boarders have a medical with the appropriate GP.

Communication

The smooth running of the medical centre is dependent on good communication between the pupil, home and school. All personal information is treated in the strictest confidence and we rely on parents to inform us of any changes that occur during the holidays - from vaccinations to sport injuries.

Local Hospitals

We tend to use Broomfield Hospital (NHS) as our main referral source and Springfield Hospital for private referrals. The Herts and Essex minor injury unit is also accessible. When referrals are organised we sometimes have access to voluntary drivers but always encourage parental support for the pupil. Referrals can also be organised nearer home if appropriate.

Routine dentistry is not available locally but in an emergency, there is access to a dentist in Chelmsford. Most children see their own dentists during the school holidays and we strongly advise that this be the norm.

We want to deliver well-adjusted young people who are happy; happy in themselves, happy in their relationships with one another, and happy with who they are, ready to go out and face the world. And that is why wellbeing matters at Felsted.

Felsted’s holistic approach to wellbeing is to support and promote the good physical and mental health of all those in our community, including pupils, staff and parents. We aim to create a culture of awareness of mental health needs, with no stigma or discrimination, providing high quality mental health training for all.

A massive support network underpins our care for each child, which includes a house parent, tutor, teachers, matron, chaplain, peer counsellors, house and school prefects.

Image: Jane Miller, Head of Wellbeing

The pastoral care at the school seems to be at the forefront of all decisions. Any individual we have spoken to at the school - from receptionists, to teachers, administrators to the Chaplain - have given the impression that the children’s health and mental wellbeing are their priority.

National Press Coverage

Press coverage

Press coverage

Innovative new centre puts well-being at the heart of school life

Click here to read full article

World Mental Health Day drives Digital Detox at Felsted School

Click here to read full article

Emotional Health

Click here to read full article

Contact

Wellbeing Centre:

Mrs Jane Miller
Head of Wellbeing

Tel: +44 (0)7788 318986
Email: wellbeing@felsted.org

Medical Centre:

The Medical Centre, Felsted School
Dunmow, Essex, CM6 3LL

Tel: +44 (0)1371 822791
Email: san@felsted.org