Mental Health & Wellbeing
There is a strong and well organised pastoral structure in the school based upon an effective infrastructure and a good communications system. The system of pastoral care begins with the induction process led by the Key Stage 3 Team and the Year 7 tutors.
The role of the tutor is of the utmost importance and is the first point of contact over any issue (for parents and for staff). Our intention at Kendrick is that there is a close and caring relationship between the student and her tutor which will support the student during her life at Kendrick.
Regular tutor meetings, documentation of all information, formal and informal discussions, regular one-to-one student profiling, reports and tutor involvement in their form’s PSHCE programme all go to create the conditions which enable this relationship to flourish. The TLC oversees the whole process and is the next point of contact after the tutor.
We also understand and value the contribution that parents and carers give to this relationship and we wish to work in partnership and in cooperation with parents and carers so that students feel supported and valued in their school life.
As well as the support and guidance provided by the tutor, Year Head and parents there are a number of outside agencies that we liaise with to support the pastoral work in school as detailed below.
Student Welfare Team
The Student Welfare Team is based in both the General Office and Sixth Form Office and available to help students with any emotional issues they are experiencing or with well-being support.
Mrs Hackett - Student Welfare and Attendance Officer (Deputy DSL)
Mrs Shaw - Sixth Form and Student Welfare Assistant (Deputy DSL)
Dr Duncan - Attendance and Welfare Office
Mrs Neale - Inclusion Coordinator and Student Welfare Assistant
Ms Mallett - School Admin and Student Welfare Assistant
The Base
The Base is a Student Welfare Room and is a safe space that can be used as required by agreement of the Student Welfare Team or Head of Key Stage 3, 4 or 5
Please contact studentwelfare@kendrick.reading.sch.uk if you require any wellbeing support.
School Nurse
We have available to us the services of a school nurse. She is a regular visitor to the school and is involved and participates in aspects of the PSHCE programme. Appointments to see the nurse can be made via the school office for those who wish to discuss matters of a private and confidential nature.
The School Nursing Team has created a short video on the service
https://vimeo.com/437797725/2b2e26b789
The Berkshire School Aged Immunisation Team have a new electronic consent system that parents can complete online, details here.
The School Nursing Student Newsletter for December 2024 is here
The School Nursing Parents Newsletter for December 2024 is here
Counselling at Kendrick
To support our students, we use an established Reading counselling service, No5. We have three experienced counsellors, Katie, Melissa and Michelle, who provide 20 confidential one-to-one appointments per week. Students are able to access this service, free of charge, by emailing Mrs Hackett on JHackett@kendrick.reading.sch.uk Alternatively, they can ask any member of staff, such as their form tutor, Head of Year, Student Welfare Team member etc. who will pass the referral to Mrs Hackett, who manages the appointments. At times there can be a waiting list, but students will be seen as soon as possible.
Educational Psychologist
Referral to the Educational Psychologist may be considered useful and is generally initiated by the Head of Year and SENDCo.
ATTENDANCE SUPPORT WORKER (ASW)
We will call on the ASW when there are issues relating to attendance.
There are other specialist adolescent agencies that are also available for us to call on depending on the circumstances and need of individual students.
Tellmi
The Tellmi app allows you to talk anonymously about difficult things with other people of a similar age or experience. Tellmi is anonymous so you can talk about virtually anything, and because every post and reply is checked by a human before it goes live, it is completely safe and you are guaranteed to only get supportive replies. When you register, remember to add your school portal. This will tell you about other things in school to support you. “I actually didn’t realise how much better this app can make someone feel. I love being able to ask my own questions and just the experience of trying to help even one other person helps me to feel happier too”
Tellmi is completely confidential. Download. Offload. Feel Better.
Tellmi can be downloaded for free from Google Play and Apple App Store. For more information visit www.tellmi.help
Wellbeing Newsletter
