Wellbeing
At Sevenoaks Prep School we have a dedicated Wellbeing Team working alongside our Safeguarding and Pastoral Teams to support everyone in our school community.
Wellbeing is everyone’s business at Sevenoaks Prep School, and we strive to promote, develop, equip and prepare healthy learners for life, and support all within the community by:
“empowering everybody to achieve their potential by giving them the tools to cope with life’s challenges.”
We are committed to making it our mission to promote resilience, positive wellbeing and mental health for all our pupils, parents, carers and staff.
We have appointed a Wellbeing Team (Katherine Hougham and Sophie Fuller), Wellbeing Reps from each class and Parent Wellbeing Champions.
We have recently been awarded The Wellbeing Award for Schools (WAS) which allowed us to reflect on our current provision and to celebrate our achievements. The award verifier noted that:
“Wellbeing is strongly embedded in the school’s vision statement and ‘Way Of Life’ ethos which is exemplified and celebrated around the school and on the website.”
And more recently we have won ‘The Debrett’s Education Award for Outstanding Pastoral Care’ in the national Muddy Stilettos Best Schools Awards 2024 as well as becoming runners up in the Prep School Category in the You HQ Global Wellbeing Awards.
SUPPORT WE OFFER
IN SCHOOL
Staff Led Support
We have a team of Mental Health First Aiders (MHFAs) trained to support children in times where immediate support is needed.
Five staff members trained in Drawing and Talking, a child lead therapeutic practice, alternative to CBT. A member of staff trained as an ELSA that can run a wide range of interventions based on the needs of the individual child.
YouHQ
YouHQ gives pupils an opportunity to reflect on how they are feeling during form time through simple weekly check ins and more in-depth surveys once a fortnight. It also gives pupils the opportunity to set goals, track their mood via the mood tracker and make use of online resources to support their mental health and wellbeing. Form Teachers are able to monitor the moods of the pupils in their form to continue an open dialogue on how they are feeling and give additional support where needed.
Wellbeing Dogs
We are delighted to have our wellbeing dog, Angus, as part of the Wellbeing Team and have seen the positive impact that he has had on the pupils. He has a timetable of walks and sessions with pupils and enjoys spending time outside with pupils at breaktimes as well as cuddles throughout the day when needed.
Wellbeing Hub
We have a dedicated room within the school where wellbeing activities can take place. The prime purpose of this space is to hold all wellbeing meetings, including counselling appointments, Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) discussions and opportunities for wellbeing drop-in sessions. Additionally the room houses an accessible wellbeing library available to pupils, parents and staff. Activities such as board games, mindful colouring or crafts are on offer throughout the year.
School Counsellor
Our Wellbeing team includes a School Counsellor, whom parents can contact if they feel their child would benefit from counselling.
Leaflets and Guidance
Please find a selection of leaflets for parents on a variety of topics related to yours and your child’s wellbeing.
- ACE
- Anxiety
- Coming Out
- Divorce And Separation
- Exam Stress
- Gender Dysphoria
- Grief Support
- Tourette’s Syndrome
EXTERNAL PROVISION
We have contacts with a range of services to support your child’s wellbeing, please feel free to get in touch and we can provide you with further information.
Contacts with
- Private Counsellors
- Child Psychologists
- Psychiatrists and a wide range of specialist therapists
Charities and Helplines
REACHING OUT
Email us:
Katherine.hougham@theprep.org.uk
Anonymous concerns: We have white letter boxes stationed around the school for children to reach out for support if they do not feel comfortable asking face to face.
