At St Margaret’s, we understand that emotional wellbeing is just as important as academic success. In fact, we know emotional wellbeing is a requirement for success – academic or otherwise – for none of us can be at our best when we’re not feeling ready to face the challenges life brings. We are committed to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of our students, ensuring they feel safe, valued, and heard throughout their time with us.

Support for Students

We provide a range of support services to help students navigate the challenges of secondary school life, including:

• Pastoral Care Team – Our Heads of Year, form tutors, the wider pastoral and safeguarding team are on hand to provide guidance and support for any emotional or social concerns. If the person a student goes to initially isn’t able to help, they’ll pass the concern on to someone who can.
• School Counselling Team – Louise and Stephen, our school counsellors, are available for confidential one-to-one support for students who may need extra help. Both have a wealth of experience working with young people. If you or your child think this additional support is required, please speak to Heads of Year, Mr Gibbons or Dr Silverstone.
• YPAS in-school support – Once a week, a member of the YPAS (Young Person’s Advice Service) team is in school. They offer 1:1 and group sessions on dealing with difficulties such as anxiety, exam stress, anger management. Again, if you or your child think this additional support is required, please speak to Heads of Year, Mr Gibbons or Dr Silverstone
• Peer Mentoring – Older students trained to support and guide younger students. We have a group of Year 10 students who act as peer mentors for Year 10, and students trained in the TOTEM programme (Talking Openly To Embrace Mental Health) who offer a weekly club and drop in sessions

How Parents Can Help

As parents and carers, you play a vital role in supporting your child’s emotional wellbeing. Here are some ways you can help:

• Encourage open conversations about feelings and experiences.
• Maintain a healthy routine with adequate sleep, exercise, and balanced nutrition.
• Monitor changes in mood or behaviour and seek support if needed.
• Promote positive social interactions and friendships.
• Contact the school if you have concerns about your child’s wellbeing.

Where to Find Further Support

If your child needs additional support, there are a number of external resources available, including:

• CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) – Specialist NHS support for young people experiencing mental health difficulties. www.liverpoolcamhs.com or call 0151 293 3577
• Kooth – A free online mental health support service for young people. www.kooth.com
• YPAS (Young Person’s Advisory Service Liverpool) – Support for children, young people, and families. www.ypas.org.uk or call 0151 707 1025
• Samaritans – A confidential helpline for anyone struggling with their wellbeing or mental health. Call 116 123