Mental Health Provision at Prince William School

We are proud to have been awarded a LightBulb certificate of mental health excellence from St Andrews Healthcare in recognition of our commitment to wellbeing.

As a school, we have adopted the World Health Organisation’s definition of what good mental health means:

‘A state of well-being in which everyone realises their own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to their community.’

Our aim is to support the mental health of all our community and to empower young people with the skills to maintain good mental health.

The school’s drive this year focuses on four key areas –

The ethos and environment of the school and encouraging a sense of belonging and security
Student voice and parent/carer partnership
Staff training and curriculum development
Effective and targeted support

To these ends, the school is implementing a range of strategies and we are working towards the St Andrew’s Lightbulb Award.

What we do

Our excellent provision in the Bridge supports students in crisis and implements interventions to help young people to improve their mental health. Staff in the Bridge have been trained as mental health first aiders.

Currently, we have over 50 students who have been trained to provide mental health support to their peers and we have an active team of young people who offer a drop-in support service to other students.

All staff have been trained in how to spot emerging mental health concerns and how to assess the correct need for a student. Staff have also received advice on how to maintain good mental health.

We have offered parents a range of online resources about mental health, with a focus on supporting teenagers with their emotional challenges. This year, we aim to provide an in-school session offering advice and guidance.

Frequently, we give time in assemblies and tutor to examine and discuss how to achieve good mental health and how to ask for help when you need it.

Thank you for taking a look at what we are doing to support young people in developing resilience but also in knowing when to ask for help.

Mental Health Support for Secondary Pupils

We all have mental health, just like we all have physical health. It’s about how we think, feel and act. Sometimes we feel well, and sometimes we don’t. When our mental health is good, we feel motivated and able to take on challenges and new experiences. But when our mental health is not so good, we can find it much harder to cope.

We have uploaded some guides and information below for you to look at. However, if you are finding it difficult to cope, there is help available.

You can talk to someone in school and they will be able to signpost you to the support or information you need.

Alternatively, you can contact any of these organisations and ask for help:

Childline - for information or advice call 08001111
Young Minds - for immediate support text YM to 85258 for free, 24/7 support
Samaritans - call 116 123 for free, 24/7 support
Shout - for immediate support text SHOUT to 85258 for free, 24/7 support
The Mix - offers free e-mail support, 1-2-1 webchat service and free short-term counselling

In an emergency

Mental health emergencies should be taken seriously.

Call 999 or go to A&E now if:

Someone's life is at risk - for example they have injured themselves or taken an overdose
You do not feel you can look after yourself or someone else
You cannot keep yourself or someone else safe