Mental Health & Wellbeing
School Chaplain
Our School Chaplain, Mrs Vercoe, is part of our pastoral team promoting positive wellbeing throughout the school and is also our Transition Lead. She spends lots of time listening and talking to students. Students can talk to the chaplain for many different reasons including worries, anxiety, exam stress, bereavement and spiritual support.
The role of our School Chaplain
- Helping to develop the school’s distinctive Christian vision and reviewing its effectiveness
- Supporting the emotional and spiritual wellbeing of students and staff
- Supporting the school as a place where students feel cared for and safe
- Building links with local churches, faith communities and wider community
- Supporting and reviewing the impact of the school’s collective worship
- Liaising with School Pastors and regular meetings with School Pastor Coordinator
Christian Ethos Group
The Christian Ethos group involves school staff, governors & local clergy who have a variety of experience in education, school management, youth work, pastoral care, and spiritual leadership. The group supports the school in maintaining and developing its Christian ethos in line with the school vision and values and in reviewing the areas of development highlighted through SIAMS inspections.
Reflecting on the SIAMS Health Checks, the group discusses and reviews the impact and provision of the seven strands within the SIAMS inspection:
- Vision and Leadership
- Wisdom, knowledge and skills
- Character Development: Hope, Aspiration and Courageous Advocacy
- Community and living well together
- Dignity and Respect
- The impact of collective worship
- The effectiveness of religious education
Wellbeing Challenges
We have launched a weekly wellbeing challenge for all students, Each week you will find seven tasks to try, all intended to boost your general mental health and wellbeing. We have also produced a log sheet that you might light to use to record your actions, and you like to share what you have been doing with your tutor and student Wellbeing Champions. The log sheet is available to download below or you can create your own. Challenges will be added to this section of the website each week. We hope you enjoy the challenges!
Wellbeing Teen Sleep Hub
Free Online Wellbeing Course For Families
Managing Mental Health Wellbeing at Home
Mental Wellbeing Teen Sleep Hub.
Mental Wellbeing Lifehacks during Covid-19
Wellbeing Challenges Log 2021
Wellbeing Challenge – Week 1
Wellbeing Challenge – Week 2
Wellbeing Challenge – Week 3
Wellbeing Challenge – Week 4
Wellbeing Challenge – Week 5
Wellbeing Challenge – Week 6
Wellbeing Challenge – Week 7
School Pastors
The School Pastors are volunteers from local churches who assist with supporting the wellbeing of students, they wear a distinctive uniform so they can be easily seen and identified by students, parents, and staff. At the end of the school day, they patrol outside our school and in our community to support the safety of students as they travel home. They are available for students to talk to as they leave school and on their way home.
Many of our school pastors also assist with other aspects of school life:
- Listening to students read
- Mentoring
- Supporting lunchtime drop-in sessions in the chaplaincy
- Helping on school trips and visits
Take a look at our short film about the work of School Pastors https://youtu.be/VSdzp4-BGmI
Health & Wellbeing Help for Young People and Families
At The Taunton Academy we are committed to supporting the emotional health and wellbeing of all students and staff. We have a caring ethos based on our aim for everyone to have ‘life in all its fullness’ and integrated in our values of aspiration, integrity and respect. There are lots of wellbeing support available to students in school, anyone needing support can initially speak to their Tutor or Year Leader.
Every week we have Wellbeing Wednesday and tutors lead wellbeing moments with their tutor group, we also have assemblies and character education themed around wellbeing topics. Every Tuesday there is a school nurse clinic for advice and support around physical, emotional or sexual health. Students can arrange an appointment through Chat Health or by speaking to their year leader.
Our student Wellbeing Champions also help to promote positive wellbeing throughout the school and within their tutor groups and year groups.
Other sources of support can be found below
Support Links
Mindline Somerset
Call 01823 276 892
ChatHealth
Confidential chat and support from the Taunton School Nurse Team.
Students (11-19 years) can text 07480 635 516
Parents (with a child 5-19 years) can text 07480 635 515
Young Somerset
If you have a child 5-19 and looking for confidential help and advice? Just send a text to your School Nurse Team. Text 07480 635515
Kooth
Discreet and quick. If you’re aged 11-19 it only takes one text to start making a difference. You’ll get confidential advice from a local School Nurse. You don’t have to give your name if you don’t want to. Text 07480 635516
Young Minds
Advice and mental health support for young people. They also have a parent helpline. Call for free 08088025544 Mon – Fri 9:30 – 4pm
ChildLine
Advice, support & resources. Call 0800 1111 – the number won’t show on your phone bill. Childline is a private and confidential service for children and young people.
Winston’s Wish
Advice, Support and resources to support bereavement.
2BU Somerset
Help, advice and support for young people, parents and carers about LGBTQ+.
Samaritans
(24/7) Call 116 123 Email jo@samaritans.org Provides confidential, non-judgemental emotional support for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those that could lead to suicide.
Papyrus
PARYPRUS is the national UK charity dedicated to the prevention of young suicide. Call 0800 068 4141 9am to 12am (midnight) every day of the year Text 07786 209697. Email pat@papyrus-uk.org
Coping with Self Harm – guide for parents and carers
cypsomersethealth.org
For further Health & Wellbeing tips, advice & information including support for parents and carers go to the Public Health website.
