Wellbeing in Sixth Form

All sixth form students have a dedicated form tutor who you will see on a daily basis. They will be your first point of contact for support and will be committed to ensuring you are happy, safe and able to achieve.

You will also have a Head of Year who will work closely with your form tutor to ensure you are receiving the support you need. Your Head of Year will be based in the Sixth Form Building and operate an open door policy, meaning you are always able to speak to them when you need help.

The Head of Sixth Form is a senior leader who is experienced in dealing with complex issues of mental and physical health, safety, wellbeing and behaviour. They are also based in the Sixth Form Building, so are readily accessible should you need to talk.

The reception desk in the Sixth Form Building is staffed at all times, meaning there is always someone on hand should you have a question, feel unwell or need any general support. These staff are approachable, experienced and trained in both physical and mental health first aid, meaning they are well-qualified to provide support.

We know that academic pressures often contribute to issues around wellbeing. To help with this, we have two Academic Mentors, who work exclusively with sixth form students. You may choose to drop in to see them or you may be referred by one of your teachers for additional support. During your sessions, you will be able to receive assistance with organisation, time management, independent learning or revision strategies, helping you to keep on top of your workload and develop the study skills needed for success.

We know that the high level of demand for counselling services often results in long waiting lists, leading to the support you need being delayed. We have responded to this by providing a school counselling service. Our counsellors will be able to work with you on a range of issues, including family difficulties, bereavement, low self-esteem, anxiety or low mood.

We work closely with a variety of external agencies to put in place specialised support where it is needed. This includes a number of charitable organisations that can provide counselling, mentoring and other forms of assistance. We can also make referrals to the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) and Social Services. By working in partnership with these external agencies, we are able to ensure that you receive support from professionals with the appropriate expertise and experience.

Please visit the main Wellbeing page of our website for more information.

Tutor time on Wednesdays is always devoted to personal development and citizenship (PDC). These taught sessions cover important topics, such as financial literacy, university preparation, employability, personal safety and managing wellbeing. This programme will empower you to make informed decisions to safeguard your mental, physical and emotional wellbeing, ensuring you are fully equipped for the future.

We have an extensive team of experienced and dedicated professionals with a high level of expertise in the safeguarding of children and young people. This includes two non-teaching Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads (DDSLs) who are available for drop in support throughout the day.

The school nurse is a qualified medical professional who is on site one day per week and is able to provide support with a range of issues relating to mental, physical and sexual health.