Pastoral Care at Holmer Green Senior School

At Holmer Green Senior School, our students’ mental health and wellbeing are of paramount importance. All staff are committed to knowing every student and to providing the support and guidance they need to ensure that every individual is able to succeed as well as they can, both academically and personally. High quality pastoral care is a part of our overall core curriculum at HGSS. This is designed to support the progress and well-being of every individual student in the school throughout all of the challenges and changes of their young adult lives.

An experienced team led by the Deputy Head (Pastoral) includes both teaching and non-teaching pastoral staff. Every child is assigned a Form Tutor whose role is to get to know each student and is the first port of call for both students and parents. The Head of Year 7 inducts and supports new students. Four other Heads of Year then take on responsibility for pastoral care as students move through the school. These staff members support students with their pastoral needs as well as support them through the different stages of their education including options choices, exams and career support. In the Sixth Form, the Assistant Headteacher (Sixth Form) is supported by a Second in Sixth Form whose role is to oversee pastoral care in Years 12 and 13.

A team of support staff, including the Medical Administrator, Attendance Officer Inclusion Manager and 3 behaviour and safeguarding Pastoral Managers, play an important role in providing every day support and guidance to students. We also work closely with a number of other outside agencies.

At Holmer Green Senior School, safeguarding and child protection are key responsibilities for all staff and fundamental in ensuring effective student well-being. A team of staff with a high level of safeguarding training deals with more serious issues.  If any student needs additional support, this is provided either by staff in school or via external agencies such as, CAMHS, Switch, Barnardo’s RUSafe, Aspire Outreach and Family Support.

Pastoral Care in the Curriculum

At HGSS we have a proactive approach to supporting students’ personal development. This includes timetabled PSHCE and PRP lessons, as well as lessons during tutor time. Students are taught key life skills and provided with techniques including coping strategies, alternative thoughts, problem solving and decision-making through resilience.

The HUB

All of our pastoral services are available to every single child via HUB. The HUB is open every day from 8am until 4pm and throughout break and lunch. It is a vital part of our school and a safe space for all pupils no matter what challenges they are facing.

Apps to help your Metal Health

There are a variety of apps for ISO and android devices that can support your mental health.

Headspace is a free app with advice managing anxiety and relaxation methods.

Calm Harm is a free app that provides a range of techniques to relive emotional distress. It’s particularly helpful if you often use self harm to cope.

For Me is a free app from Childline. It offers counselling, group message boards, and advice.

Useful Online Support Services

Kooth is and online service. Kooth.com Any student can log on and speak to a trained counsellor.

Childline can be used if you are concerned about yourself or someone you know you can call for confidential, free support. Tel: 0800 111

The Mix provide one-to-one support for young people on all aspects of a young persons life

CAMHS is an early intervention mental health service for teens. Referrals can be made through HUB or your GP.

Wellbeing Service offer CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) and group therapy to anyone over 16 years struggling with their mental health, visit the website to refer in.

Health for Teens offer advice 1-19 years on topics from emotional wellbeing, addiction and healthy relationships.

Child Bereavement UK have advice on managing grief and local services.

Young Carers in Bucks offer practical and emotional support to young people with caring responsibilities.

Young Stonewall provide information and support for young LGBTQ+ individuals across the UK.

Relate offer counselling to young people, and specialise in relationship troubles.

Switch is a drug and alcohol misuse service. Please contact HUB if you, or someone you know, needs a referral.

BEAT (Beating Eating Disorders) offer advice and guidance on eating disorders, with a youth helpline.

Self-Harm UK offer support to individuals dealing with and recovering from self-harm.

Gangsline provide help and support to young men and women involved in gang culture

Fearless has information and advice about crime and criminality and also provides a safe place to give information about a crime