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St Peter's
Catholic School

Student Wellbeing Support

At some point in your child’s journey at St Peter’s, they may require support to maintain their wellbeing. The Pastoral Support Team (PST) is a dedicated group of staff who oversee all elements of pastoral care at the school.

This document outlines what to expect from the wellbeing support system, from a student’s first disclosure to the support they may receive.

What Might a Disclosure/Event Involve?

  1. Regular feelings of anxiety
  2. Online Safety
  3. Panic/anxiety attacks
  4. Feeling overwhelmed in different environments
  5. Insecurities around peers
  6. Self-harm
  7. Suicidal thoughts

For disclosures involving self-harm or suicidal thoughts, our Safeguarding Team will be notified, and we strongly recommend that you seek further guidance from your child’s GP.

Initial Steps

  1. A conversation takes place between the Tutor or Head of Year (HOY) and the student
  2. The HOY will decide which member of the PST is best placed to support the student, in collaboration with the SENCO where appropriate
  3. A referral is made. Wait times vary, and HOYs will provide an estimated timeframe
  4. Support begins and is reviewed by a designated staff member to assess the impact

Due to demand, support is often short-term.

Who Are the PST and What Support Is Available?

Tutor & HOY: Your child’s first point of contact for wellbeing concerns.

Mental Health First Aiders:

  • Trained staff who provide immediate, confidential support to students experiencing emotional distress
  •  Offer a listening ear and emotional first aid
  • Help students identify coping strategies
  • Signpost to further internal or external support
  • Conduct informal wellbeing check-ins and triage needs

ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant):

  • Weekly or fortnightly 30-minute sessions
  • Uses talking therapy, worksheets, art, and calming strategies
  • Builds emotional vocabulary and resilience
  • Includes Pets as Therapy (P.A.T) for selected students

HSLW (Home School Link Worker):

  • Supports students and families in school or at home
  • Helps access external services
  • Offers non-judgmental, counselling-style conversations
  • Especially helpful during family changes or crises

School Counsellors:

  • Two part-time counsellors offering short-term therapy
  • Provide a safe, confidential space to explore emotions
  • Teach coping strategies and psychoeducation

School Nurse:

  • Students can self-refer or be referred by HOY
  • More information is available on the school website under ‘Our Parents’ > ‘Welfare Resources’

Additional Wellbeing Partnerships and Programmes

  1. BEAT (Beating Exam Anxiety Together): A six-week course that helps students understand and manage exam anxiety by identifying stress triggers and teaching practical strategies to boost confidence and performance.  Beating Exam Anxiety Together (BEAT) course
  1. The Matrix Trust: The Matrix Trust is a Guildford-based youth charity that partners with schools to support vulnerable students through trained youth workers. They offer mentoring, lunchtime drop-ins, and safe spaces to help students build confidence and emotional wellbeing. https://matrixtrust.com/
  1. Xavier Lifestyle First: Lifestyle First is a wellbeing programme across Xavier Catholic Education Trust schools, that promotes healthy habits, through coaching and a curriculum focused on sleep, nutrition, exercise, and mental health. About Lifestyle First – LifestyleFirst
  1. Sixth Form and Staff Coaching: This coaching programme, based on the GROW model by Sir John Whitmore, is led by trained Sixth Form students and staff, and supports students through structured conversations that promote goal setting, self-reflection, and personal development. It helps build confidence, resilience, and wellbeing. https://www.performanceconsultants.com/resources/the-grow-model/
  1. Surrey MHST (Mental Health Support Team): Surrey MHST is a school-based service that supports students’ emotional wellbeing, by identifying early mental health needs and offering advice, signposting, and support from Clinical Psychologists through both in-person and virtual sessions.  Mental Health Support Team Specialist Schools (MHST SS) Surrey Wide :: Mindworks Surrey
  1. Wellbeing Support at St Peters