PERSONALISED PUPIL SUPPORT NETWORK
We are deeply passionate about the happiness, health, confidence and wellbeing of every single pupil, and this is the reason why we have a clear and robust personalised pupil support network. This ensures the Flourish programme is an embedded, school-wide approach to pupil wellness.
As part of the Flourish programme, Form Tutors and Heads of Year have significant roles to play in the day-to-day life of the pupils. The Form Tutors meet with the pupils twice during the school day and, as such, are the first port of call for both pupils and parents. They have regular one-to-one meetings with their tutees so they can monitor wellbeing and identify what is going well, similarly any concerns. They take a keen interest in the progress of their tutees and engage with parents to establish and maintain good home-school communication. The Heads of Year have the over-arching view of all pupils in their year groups and liaise weekly with the Flourish team to ensure proactive support is provided as required.
WELLNESS CENTRE
Our dedicated on-site Wellness Centre offers wellbeing sessions and yoga, and hosts a full-time paramedic, nurse, counsellor and healthcare assistant. The activities on offer and staff in the Wellness Centre ensure Harrogate Ladies’ College pupils have access to outstanding care.
“The Wellness Centre is staffed by experienced medical professionals with a wide range of medical skills and provides good support for pupils.”
2024 Independent Schools Inspectorate Report
Tutorial in Harrogate Ladies’ College Wellness Studio
DESIGNATED MENTAL HEALTH LEAD
Harrogate Ladies’ College’s Designated Mental Health Lead is at the forefront of developing and implementing a school-wide approach to mental health and wellbeing.
The Designated Mental Health Lead is responsible for evaluating, planning, implementing and overseeing our school-wide wellbeing strategy for pupils and staff. Research has proven that a school-wide approach to mental health and wellbeing is the most effective way to support pupils with mental health problems.
BOARDING STAFF
The boarding staff at Harrogate Ladies’ College are the backbone of fostering a school-wide culture of inclusivity and wellbeing within the boarding community. All boarding staff participate in mental health first aid, and emotional and wellbeing training, which provides them with the skills necessary to prioritise the wellbeing of boarders.
“Well-trained boarding leaders understand how to actively promote and support the wellbeing of boarders.”
2024 Independent Schools Inspectorate Report
Boarding staff facilitate activities like Wellbeing Wednesdays, where boarders regularly participate in activities that focus on prioritising self-care, happiness, wellbeing and mindfulness.
We know new boarders can experience challenges like homesickness, which can have an impact on their emotional wellbeing. Our experienced boarding staff, alongside a school-wide culture of inclusivity, gives parents the confidence and belief that Harrogate Ladies’ College has genuine care and a comprehensive pastoral care framework for every single pupil.
PSHE
Form tutors and class teachers deliver a robust PSHE (Physical, Social, Health and Economic) curriculum, which is adapted to suit different pupils’ needs as they move through the school. Our PSHE programme helps pupils:
- develop life skills for adulthood;
- build confidence and resilience; and
- contribute positively to society.
We understand the important role we play in the personal and social development of our pupils; through our PSHE curriculum, we provide our pupils with the skills to develop as individuals who genuinely know themselves. Some examples of the topics covered in our PSHE programme include:
- friendships, community, prejudice and discrimination;
- intimate health, tobacco and vaping;
- being safe in relationships, consent, domestic violence; and
- fertility, parenthood, pregnancy and risk taking.
WELLNESS CHAMPIONS
Peer support forms a crucial role in fostering a school-wide culture of wellbeing, and our Wellness Champions are dedicated senior school pupils who are trained to support the wellbeing of their peers. Our Wellness Champions receive training for their roles, which includes:
- basic safeguarding training;
- guidance on when to escalate concerns; and
- training on how to uncover, improve and refine their listening skills.
Our Wellness Champions organise regular events like ‘Hot Chocolate and Chat’, which promotes peer-to-peer conversations about mental health and wellbeing.
