Student Wellbeing

 

Wellbeing at Comberton Village College 

At Comberton Village College pupil and staff wellbeing is central to what we do. We understand that the move from childhood to adulthood can be challenging. We will seek to support all pupils in becoming confident, capable and caring individuals as they become adult members of our community. 

 

Our Pastoral System 

We have strong pastoral systems to support students throughout their time with us. Each child has a tutor and a pastoral team comprising of a Head of Year, Assistant Head of Year and an Assistant Principal linked to each year. You can find information about who your child’s tutor and pastoral team are in our year group pages found here. In most cases if you are concerned about your child’s wellbeing you should contact your child’s tutor. 

 

The Equality and Diversity Group

Equality and Diversity is a student-focused group which meets weekly. Students from a range of backgrounds meet to discuss current issues and to seek support where necessary. Students help create assemblies, create display boards, have input on the curriculum, and share their ideas about ways to ensure that CVC is an inclusive, supportive, diverse environment.

 

Targeted and Specialised Support at School

We use a range of support services in school to support pupils, these include:  

• Psychotherapeutic counselling  
• Mentoring and coaching by members of staff  
• Youth work from professional youth workers (WCCYM)  

If you have concerns about your child’s well-being that are non-urgent and need advice the school has an email address which is checked daily – this is: studentsupport@combertonvc.org.Students can also email this address to seek non-urgent support and advice. 

 

WCCYM Chaplaincy Team

WCCYM (West Cambridge Christian Youth Ministries) provide a Chaplaincy Team to the college, to offer additional holistic support for staff and students.

The Chaplaincy team’s pastoral support for students includes one-to-one youth work support, targeted group work and detached youth work. There are also additional opportunities for spiritual development and reflection, encouraging respect and tolerance for all within a safe space. This happens through formal settings such as lessons and assemblies, and through informal conversations and groups.

The team also support staff through organised wellbeing activities, and pastoral support in a one-to-one setting.

Cherie Williamson heads up the WCCYM Chaplaincy Team at Comberton Village College, alongside WCCYM workers Susie Thomson and Nick Slater, as well as a small team of volunteers.

 

The Den

The Den is a support area to access at lunchtimes. All pupils are welcome, whether that is for a chat, to talk through any worries, or if a pupil would just like a quiet place to eat their lunch. Miss Baker (Student Support and Wellbeing Officer) and Mrs Callaghan (Centre Communication Support Specialist) are the staff members on duty and The Den is situated just outside the English office.

 

Useful Services	Contact Details
Caring Together Charity - The Young Carers Support app enables young and young adult carers in the UK to find information and advice, self-help resources, wellbeing tips and activities, plus a catalogue of support services – all in one place. It’s free and available for any young carer	App for young carers - Caring Together iOS: https://apple.co/3JR6202 Android: https://bit.ly/3p9v3Mh
Talk Grief - Talk Grief is a dedicated online space for grieving teenagers and young adults (13 to 25), powered by the childhood bereavement charity Winston’s Wish. Here you can learn from other young grieving people, find healthy ways to cope and feel less alone	Home (talkgrief.org)
Brook - Offers advice and guidance on healthy relationships, sexual health and contraception.	https://www.brook.org.uk/
Mental Health Support Teams (MHSTs) - 'MHST's are part of NHS and Department of Education National Initiative that  aims to transform children and young people's mental health provision.  They sit within the Emotional Health and Wellbeing Service and work in selected schools and colleges across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. They currently have eight MHSTs supporting 134 schools and colleges and by 2025, a further 4 MHSTs will launch locally, supporting an additional 80 settings	Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Mental Health Support Team (cambspborochildrenshealth.nhs.uk)
Young Minds - Offers loads of practical tips and advice from young people just like you, as well as information & resources to get the support you need	https://www.youngminds.org.uk/
Keep Your Head - Support for those who may be concerned about their own or others' mental health	Keep Your Head Mental Health Service (keep-your-head.com)
CAMHS Live - Support with feelings of Depression, Anxiety, Self-harming, Suicidal thoughts and Stress	www.nhft.nhs.uk/camhslive
Kooth - Offers free confidential online counselling for students	Digital Mental Health Care - Kooth plc
SHOUT - To start a conversation, text the word 'SHOUT' to 85258. Offers free, confidential, anonymous text support service with trained Shout Volunteers	Free, 24/7 mental health text support in the UK | Shout 85258 (giveusashout.org)
CASUS - Provides information, support and specialist treatment around drug and alcohol use, to young people under 18 and their families	Search | CPFT NHS Trust
HealthyYou - Supporting those wanting to make changes to their lifestyle, such as stopping vaping and smoking	Healthy You - improving health across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough
Think U Know - Useful guidance for parents/carers and young people on online safety. The school also runs e-safety events throughout the year to support young people	CEOP Education (thinkuknow.co.uk)
ChatHealth - Secure and confidential text messaging service for young people aged 11-19 who are struggling to cope with issues such as bullying, emotional health, relationship problems, alcohol and drugs	Text 07480 635 443
Women's Aid - Support for those experiencing domestic abuse and sexual violence	Home - Women's Aid (womensaid.org.uk)  Cambridgeshire County Council DASV Partnership - Local Contacts (cambsdasv.org.uk)
Papyrus - Charity which aims to support those experiencing suicidal thoughts and friends and families affected by another person’s suicide	Papyrus UK Suicide Prevention | Prevention of Young Suicide (papyrus-uk.org)
The Kite Trust - Local information on support for LGBTQ+ young people and their families	Home - The Kite Trust
Racism & Mental Health, Youngminds - Range of resources to support BAME students as well as other sections focused on mental health and wellbeing	Racism and mental health | How To Deal With Racism | YoungMinds
Autism & Mental Health, Youngminds - Offers support focused on neurodiversity	Autism and Mental Health | Signs & Symptoms of Autism | YoungMinds

 

What do I do if My Child has a Mental Health Crisis?

If you feel that your child is unable to cope and is a risk to themselves or other people seek advice from 111 and dial 2 to get support from mental health teams. You could also book an emergency appointment with your GP during surgery opening hours. If you have an emergency dial 999 to get immediate support or go to A&E.