Pastoral

At Winton Community Academy, we take the mental health of our students seriously. We aim to work with parents/carers and health professionals to provide the support children and young people need to thrive and access their education.

Our main vehicle for supporting our students with an understanding and knowledge of wellbeing and mental health is via our PSHE curriculum, delivered via timetabled lessons and assemblies or workshops. 

School staff are not medical professionals and cannot diagnose, however, we do have an understanding of mental health in a school context. 

Our school pastoral system is well supported by all members of staff and we have staff who can offer more specific and specialised advice and signposting:

Ms Justine Sebon who is our Designated Safeguarding Lead and Senior Mental Health Lead;

Ms Pearl Thomson who is our Family Support Worker; 

Ms Charlotte Beal who is our Safeguarding Officer and Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead. 

We are fortunate to have some external professionals who provide mental health support to our students, including the Mental Health Support Team that is part of Hampshire CAMHS. If we feel it is appropriate for your child to access any of this support, we will discuss it with you. Pastoral interventions in school are at the discretion and invitation of school.

We always advise that if you have concerns about your child's mental health, you contact your GP or another mental health professional.

It is highly appropriate and necessary to keep school updated on your concerns regarding your child's mental health. We welcome a conversation with you about your child and how we can help them to continue to access school and their learning as part of wraparound support for their mental health. You can do this by contacting your child’s tutor or Head of Year in the first instance.

We are aware of the contribution of social media and the negative impact it can have on mental health. Parents/carers are solely responsible for their child’s use of social media and we are unable to monitor and have oversight of students' social media use. We are happy to signpost parents/carers to access advice regarding social media usage. 

If you require further advice and support, we encourage you to explore the website links to outside agencies.

Justine Sebon

Associate Leadership - Safeguarding and Mental Health Lead