Statistics relating to mental health in schools can make for worrying reading. According to NHS England, for example, a fifth of children and young people had mental health problems in 2023.
Meanwhile, research from the charity Mind has found that many young people don’t understand their own mental health well, while school or sixth form is the place they’d like to seek help. When they do look for help, they want clear information, to receive mental health support quickly, to be treated as human beings, and to be taken seriously without being spoken down to.
Mind also reports that referrals to Children’s and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) had hit an all-time high of over half a million by the end of December 2023, making supporting wellbeing in schools more important than ever.
Mental Health Support in Schools
Good mental health is essential for all students if they are to learn effectively, cope with the daily challenges we all face and develop resilience for adulthood. So pastoral support in schools should include teaching wellbeing strategies, for example on coping with stress, anxiety, and depression and in creating safe, supportive environments in which children know where to request support and feel comfortable asking for it.
At the same time, part of mental health support in schools should mean these institutions notice any pupils who may be struggling, and at an early stage of any mental health difficulties.
Indeed, the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) framework emphasizes that schools should promote students’ mental health and wellbeing; giving them social and relationships education which builds self-esteem and resilience, preparing them for their time after school.
What St Joseph’s does to Support
St Joseph’s College in Reading is a Catholic school for primary and secondary school children, and we place as much emphasis on kindness and creativity as we do on academic achievements. We are aware of the critical importance of pastoral care in schools and are proud of the way we deliver this ourselves, and the way we prioritise the wellbeing of each one of our students.
We passionately believe each child should feel safe, happy, and valued, and always encourage our students to look after each other. And, as well as being guided by our Catholic faith and principles, we follow our ‘five C’s’ of Commitment, Collaboration, Communication, Confidence and Compassion. By helping students develop these characteristics we create an environment which is warm and inclusive.
To balance the academics, our broad co-curriculum offers fun down-time, which is just as important in school life. Our house system encourages teamwork and a sense of community, plus we offer dozens of co-curricular activities so that students can play to their strengths and discover what they love outside the classroom. This approach means our students are empowered to thrive emotionally and personally as well as academically, allowing them to reach their full potential.
How we offer Pastoral Care in our School
• Our tutor system allows each tutor to get to know every child in their small tutor group, their family circumstances and any challenges they face. They are able to identify any issues early on and ensure that the relevant support is provided.
• We encourage open communication between everyone involved in the life of St Joseph’s. Pupils know the range of staff they can talk to, whether the Assistant Head (Wellbeing & Safeguarding), their Head of Year, the Lay Chaplain, the Head of Learning Support or their tutor or class teacher.
• Our Chaplaincy and Wellbeing Centre is a safe, calm space where students can access support, while its Lay Chaplain offers further guidance and help.
• Pupils who need a quieter environment at lunchtime can take advantage of dedicated co-curricular clubs and social spaces.
• A trained mental health practitioner is on-site to address any specific concerns.
• A dedicated College therapist is available to those students who require specialist support.
• Our PSHEE and tutoring programme, rooted in values of compassion, respect and understanding, is another key part of our pastoral care. We cover all aspects of relationships, health and wellbeing as well as living as part of a community.
• Many of our staff have training as Mental Health First Aiders, while all are equipped to understand and look out for the mental wellbeing of our students.
Pastoral care is structured differently to suit different ages as our pupils travel, as we like to say, from acorn to oak. For younger children in our Prep School, the class teacher is usually the first port of call for wellbeing issues – there’s also a dedicated Prep Pastoral Lead who has an overview of the pastoral care for our youngest students.
Throughout the Senior School students will have their tutor who will be their ‘go to’ person for any concerns, led by a Head of Year or Head of Section, overseen by our Assistant Head (Wellbeing & Safeguarding).
Then by the time they reach Year 11, and are facing public exams for the first time, students need a more tailored approach – we also ensure a smooth transition to the Sixth Form, where each student has a personal tutor who knows them well and helps them to combine academic results with emotional and physical wellbeing.
Discover St Joseph’s College today
St Joseph’s College may not be the biggest independent school in Reading, but we believe our smaller size actively contributes to our nurturing environment, and the value we place on individual development.
Learn more about what we could do for your child and our admissions process – arrange a visit and come see us for yourself.
