Student Wellbeing

Wellbeing at Orchardside

At Orchardside School, we understand that many of our students have social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) needs that may not have been fully recognised or understood in their previous school settings. Our goal is to support every child holistically, ensuring they feel safe, understood, and equipped to succeed both academically and personally.

Orchardside is a Trauma Informed School

We recognise that some students have experienced difficult or traumatic situations that impact their relationships, behaviour and learning. That is why we have adopted a whole school approach to wellbeing by becoming a trauma informed school accredited by Trauma Informed Schools UK

Overall Assessment from Trauma Informed Schools UK

"It was an utter pleasure to visit Orchardside for the day, and I only wish I could have stayed longer. Having worked in a Pupil Referral Unit for many years it was joy to see what can be done when a trauma and mentally healthy informed approach is implemented. The staff are an absolute credit to you as are the students. It was incredibly moving to hear them speak of their experiences at Orchardside, particularly their faith that staff believe in them, and believe that they can succeed beyond your school. What a gift you all are to them-TISUK Assessor

A Trauma Informed Approach at Orchardside means

• Our school environment feels safe, welcoming, and supportive.
• Staff are trained to understand the effects of trauma and respond appropriately.
• Students learn emotional regulation skills and coping strategies.
• Families are valued as key partners in their child’s well-being and success.
• We focus on each student's strengths and potential for growth.
• We have invested in a full-time school therapist and school offer for social, emotional and mental health.

How We Identify and Support Wellbeing

We take a proactive and caring approach to identifying and addressing the SEMH needs of our students. Pupils who may benefit from extra support are identified through our weekly Taskforce Meetings. During these meetings, a multi-agency team provides additional insight, analysis and plans of action for students whose behaviours, relationships and other factors may indicate signs of trauma which may be impacting their wellbeing. Orchardside also encourages self-referral, where students are encouraged to ask for help directly from our school therapist or any member of staff if they feel they need support for their wellbeing. We also encourage parents and carers to share any worries around the wellbeing of their child and family with the school.

Our Wellbeing Pathway

We follow a structured process to ensure that the right level of support is provided:

1. Initial Assessment All new pupils meet with our school therapist for three sessions over a three-week period. This helps them settle in and allows us to triage their emotional needs.

2. Personalised Support Plan Based on the initial triage sessions and subsequent discussions in our weekly Taskforce meeting, we determine the best support for each student. This may include:

• Time-limited therapy (6-12 weeks) with the school therapist.
• Ongoing therapy with the school therapist for more complex needs.
• ​Referral to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) for specialist support.

3. Ongoing Reviews We regularly assess the effectiveness of support and adjust where needed to ensure the best outcomes for our students.

Additional Support Options

We also offer an online and telephone therapy service to students called Kooth. This provides confidential support that students can access from home. This free service allows them to talk to a therapist and use an online journal to express their thoughts and emotions.