Counselling

Our school’s pastoral care and SEND provision work closely together. Sometimes pupils benefit from talking to a counsellor.  At Skinners’, we have a small team of counsellors qualified to work with young people presenting with a wide range of issues.  

Counselling provides a confidential safe and non-judgemental setting to discuss any worries and difficulties. Common problems are anxiety, sleep difficulties, family relationship difficulties, bereavement and depression. Students are often referred by their Head of Year, the SENCo or the Deputy Headteacher. Some students are referred by a request from a parent, other older students self-refer. All referrals are treated with confidence and discretion.

Connect Mentoring

Connect Mentoring provides trained mentors who give one-to-one support for local secondary students who need someone to listen, support, encourage and empower them through whatever challenges they are currently facing.

Connect Mentoring is a very practical, solution-focused support where students are asked for a couple of goals at the beginning which could be things like:

 "I want to have the courage to put my hand up in class" 

" I want to be more organised with my homework"

" I want to get on better with my brother"

" I'd like to have more friends" 

Anything at all, big or small, and through a very structured and fun format, the students are empowered and supported to reach these goals. It's suitable for any age and is great for the students who don't necessarily like to talk very much (although fine for those that do.) It's half an hour a week, usually during lesson time and for six sessions. 

The Mentors are volunteers who have been trained in solution focused therapy but are not professional counsellors. All sessions are confidential unless safeguarding issues are identified.