Wellbeing

As part of my role as the Online Safety lead for RSG, I actively research regularly the latest trends and issues that children are faced with in the online world and consider how this may then impact our students in our school setting. This information is then relayed and shared with students, parents, carers and staff through the termly Online Safety newsletter.

When either a 1-1 or group online safety session is requested for a student, each session is tailored to provide support and guidance for the particular issue or area of concern. These topics are then discussed and a safe space provided to ask questions if needed. If students are experiencing concerns or are causing issues for others around online bullying for example, the session will explore scenarios to discuss and online support provided through highlighting interactive websites such as the NSPCC. If there are concerns around interacting or engaging with harmful content online for example, then the risks of accessing this type of content is discussed linking to our digital footprints and how this could have an impact on future education or career opportunities.

The Dog Mentor Programme is a specialist school dog training programme. Since 2013, the Dog Mentor Programme has been implemented in over 500 schools across the UK, with more than 600 'Dog Mentor dogs' providing invaluable wellbeing, stress-reduction and social support to students and staff alike.

With the help of The Dog Mentor Programme, a school dog can nurture a comfortable and happy dynamic, enabling dogs to create a calming, positive influence on children. A specially-trained school dog can play a pivotal role as a therapeutic intervention within educational settings.

Meet our School Dog Mentors below.

The Aim of “Wave Club” is to help students feel like they belong in a safe space to promote a sense of community. 

“The feeling that someone is waving back at them”

A space for students to interact with their peers during social and unstructured times of the day. Students work together to develop strategies to look after their mental health and get the best from school. Our aim is to boost self-esteem and confidence, coupled with a sense of belonging with other students who share interests and with whom they can relate.

The Hive is a welcoming space designed to support students' social, emotional, and mental well-being. Open to all students, this room offers a range of sessions and resources aimed at helping individuals manage emotions, build resilience, and enhance their overall mental health. Whether it's through group discussions, one-on-one support, or mindfulness activities, The Hive provides a safe and inclusive environment where students can feel heard, supported, and empowered. It's a place where they can take a step back, focus on self-care, and develop the skills needed to navigate the challenges of student life with confidence and balance.

Mental Health First Aid sessions are available to all students, helping them learn how to take care of their own mental health and handle difficult situations. These sessions teach students simple but important skills to manage stress, anxiety, and other mental health challenges, giving them the tools to feel more confident and supported. We also offer emergency Mental Health First Aid sessions if students are going through a tough time and needs immediate support. These sessions are all about making sure our students feel safe, understood, and know how to take care of themselves when things get hard.  

Counselling is a private and confidential setting for students to talk and explore their emotional feelings, regarding issues and problems they are experiencing. Providing tools and techniques to support the student develop self-understanding to gain clarity and direction through an emotional time.

We offer:  Weekly sessions over a set time frame.

                 Emergency appointments that can be accessed within the week.

                 Follow up sessions on a termly basis, when a little more support is needed.

Mentoring is to support pupils to manage their own learning in order that they maximise their potential, develop their skills, improve their performance and become the person they want to be. Mentoring links to our C.A.R.E values by encouraging Collaboration between mentor and mentee; Aspiration by a mentor supporting the mentee into making their dreams become a reality; Respect showing consideration to each other and Empowerment building a platform for mentees to flourish and build confidence.

Drawing and Talking is a therapeutic approach that enables individuals to explore and express their emotions through a non-directive technique. Unlike solution-focused or cognitive-based therapies, it provides a gentle and creative outlet for processing feelings without pressure or structured intervention. Our students say ‘I love drawing and talking. It helps a lot when I'm struggling. I can always ask for it and it will always make me happy. I don't communicate through talking very well so I am able to communicate through drawing.’