Students Accessing Support

About Our Wellbeing Support 

At our school, we want every child to feel safe, listened to and supported. Alongside the pastoral team, we offer access to our NHS Mental Health Support Team (MHST) and the School Counselling Service. 

These services provide students with a safe, confidential space to talk about worries, emotions or challenges affecting them at school or at home. Support focuses on early help, emotional wellbeing and practical strategies for managing stress, anxiety and low mood. 

We work in close partnership with families. Parents and carers will be involved where appropriate, unless a young person requests confidentiality and it is safe to do so. If we ever have a concern about a child’s safety, we will follow statutory safeguarding procedures. 

How to Access Support 

Students, parents/carers and staff can request support from the MHST or School Counselling Service by: 

  • speaking with the student’s Tutor or Head of Year 
  • contacting the Pastoral Team / Wellbeing Centre 
  • speaking to any trusted adult in school 
  • contacting the relevant staff directly using the details below:

    Any concern — big or small — can be raised. A member of staff will follow this up sensitively. Parents/carers will be informed where appropriate, unless safeguarding considerations require a different approach. 

Confidentiality, Self-Referral and Consent 

School Counselling Service 

Students can self-refer directly to the School Counsellors. In some cases, this means that the school may not automatically be informed, unless the student agrees that information can be shared. 
Counsellors work within professional ethical guidelines, and confidentiality will only be broken if there is a safeguarding concern or a risk of harm. 

MHST (NHS) Support 

MHST support is delivered as a collaborative process involving the student, family and school. 

  • For students under 16, parental consent is required for MHST intervention, following NHS requirements. 
  • For students aged 16+, the student can consent themselves. 

    Where possible, we aim to ensure parents/carers are informed and involved, as this strengthens support. However, in certain circumstances this may not be immediately possible. Decisions are guided by NHS processes, professional judgment and statutory safeguarding guidance. 

Who to Contact 

MHST (NHS) Support 

For any queries or requests for the NHS Mental Health Support Team, please contact: 

Mrs S. Brownley 
Head of Wellbeing & Senior Mental Health Lead 
Email: sbrownley@colytongrammar.com 

She oversees all MHST involvement and will review requests to ensure students receive the right level of support. 

School Counselling Support 

For any queries or requests for school counselling, please contact: 

Jackie Rees – School Counsellor 
Email: jrees@colytongrammar.com 

Emma Bradbury – School Counsellor 
Email: ebradbury@colytongrammar.com 

They can provide advice, arrange check‑ins and discuss available counselling options. 

Additional External Support 

We are a positive, supportive and nurturing community, but there may be times when students need extra help. Below are links to reliable external organisations offering specialist support across a range of areas. 

Mental Health Support 

School Nurse 
Text: 07520 631722 any question and receive a response within 24 hours. 
Support available for healthy eating, puberty, relationships, sleep, exam stress, sexual health, alcohol, smoking, drugs, self-harm, bullying, mental health and friendships. 

​You will not be asked to give your name (unless you choose to). If there are safety concerns, information may be shared with another service. 

Young Carers 

Bereavement Support 

Domestic Abuse & Violence 

  • Devon: Young Devon | Helpline: 08082 810 155 
  • Devon: Splitz | Helpline: 0345 155 1074 
  • National: Childline | Helpline: 0800 1111 

Online Safety 

Most social media apps have report and block tools. Use them if you receive upsetting messages or images. 

LGBTQ+ Support 

Rape & Sexual Abuse Support 

  • National (16+): Tel: 0808 800 0188 
  • Devon (13+) | Tel: 01392 204174 
  • Dorset (16+)  | Tel: 01202 308855 
  • Somerset  
  • Women’s: 0808 801 0456 
  • Men’s: 0808 801 0464 

Pregnancy & Sexual Health 

Drugs & Alcohol Support 

Eating Disorders