Mark your diary: First day of school is Monday 18th August 2025!

Wellbeing

SCHOOL COUNSELLING SERVICES

At ACS Hillingdon, school counsellors offer professional support through a well-rounded program tailored to different age groups, aiming to foster the personal, social, and emotional growth of students. They advocate for students and take a proactive approach to addressing their needs by devising and overseeing strategies for individual students dealing with personal, social, and behavioural challenges. The counselling provided is short-term and based on effective school-oriented theories and techniques, supporting student development. It focuses on both proactive and responsive approaches to help students recognize issues, understand their causes, and identify risk and protective factors, enabling them to take appropriate actions for their development.

Counselling sessions can be either individual or group-based. For individual sessions, a student can have up to eight sessions, to address a specific issue before involving their family to find additional counselling support. Students in need of long-term assistance can be referred to a therapeutic counsellor through a school referral process. School counsellors work in collaboration with school staff, families, and community resources to support students and equip them with the tools to become responsible, creative problem-solvers. They aim to engage students in the community, promote positive change, and strive for personal and academic success. Additionally, school counsellors sometimes engage students in the classroom through developmentally appropriate activities.

School counsellors adhere to a professional code of ethics to uphold the integrity and efficacy of their profession. These guidelines serve as a foundation for making well-informed and proper decisions in challenging circumstances, providing guidance on addressing ethical dilemmas. The guidelines safeguard students' welfare and rights, ensuring their safety and trust while maintaining consistent quality and ethical standards of care for all students.

Our school counsellors maintain confidentiality unless there is a safety concern. A systemic approach, through collaboration and communication with administrators, staff, parents, and the community, is key to ensuring student academic, social, and emotional success. Students are supported by their school counsellors to fulfil their potential and become successful, lifelong, psychologically flexible learners. They are nurtured to be responsible and compassionate global citizens, prepared to face the complexities of life confidently through self-understanding.

We are committed to fostering a nurturing and inclusive school environment where every student is motivated to learn, grow, and become positive contributors to society. Please do not hesitate to contact us for support and resources. Your child's wellbeing is our top priority.

Eileen Keane

Meet your Lower School Counsellor

Eileen Keane is the School Counsellor for Grades PreK through Grade 7 at ACS Hillingdon International School. Originally from Virginia in the US, Eileen previously worked in Fairfax County Public Schools from 2012 before joining ACS Hillingdon in 2018.

Eileen received her Master’s degree in Education & Human Development from The George Washington University and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in English from Villanova University in 2007. She has been a licensed School Counsellor since 2012.

Eileen takes a cognitive-behavioural, solution-focused approach in her counselling work with students. She is presently pursuing a certification as a Therapeutic Play Practitioner to support her work with ACS Hillingdon’s youngest students.

As the School Counsellor for PreK through Grade 7, Eileen supports students through individual and group counselling, as well as Personal, Social, Health & Economics Education (PSHE) lessons in classrooms from PreK to Grade 4. Eileen also serves as the Student Advocacy Advisor for Grades PreK through 4, helping students organize service-learning efforts and supporting leadership opportunities, such as Student Council and Peer Mentors, in the Lower School.

Eileen serves as the Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead and works closely with her fellow safeguarding team members, administration, staff and families to support student safeguarding concerns. Eileen helps support students and families with a variety of presenting issues, from transitions and coping skills to conflict resolution and building healthy friendships. Eileen welcomes connection and collaboration with families so please do reach out if you have any questions or wish to know more about counselling at ACS Hillingdon.

Please feel free to connect with her at ekeane@acs-schools.com if you would like to discuss current issues you are facing or just for a casual get to know you.

Bernadette Richards

Meet your Upper School Counsellor

Bernadette Richards is an education professional with over 20 years’ experience working with children and young adults who are struggling with anxiety, mental health issues and needs that manifest as challenging behaviours. She is currently our Counsellor for grades 8-12, a Deputy Safeguarding Lead and Mental Health First Aider.

Originally from Singapore, where she trained as a special needs teacher specialising in working with autistic young people, Bernadette moved to the UK with her family 15 years ago. During her time in the UK, she has undertaken regular advanced studies, including a degree in Education and Wellbeing, postgraduate certificate in Psychology, and Masters in Psychology of Education with a specialism in counselling from the University College London. These have developed her understanding of the key issues and challenges our young people currently face, enabling her to enhance the interactions and interventions she offers to our students.

Bernadette is passionate about promoting psychological flexibility to help young people adapt and thrive in an international community. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Psychology and Human Development, with the goal of deepening her appreciation of the transnational student population we welcome at ACS, aiming to develop more effective educational and psychological strategies to support their diverse needs.

Please feel free to connect with her at brichards@acs-schools.com if you would like to discuss current issues you are facing or just for a casual get to know you.

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