Wellbeing and Safeguarding
At Orchard School we take the safeguarding and wellbeing of every student very seriously. Every member of staff is responsible for and trained in wellbeing and safeguarding. We also invest in a highly-experienced team of inclusion professionals including senior staff, year teams and social, emotional and mental health practitioners and counsellors, who lead in this area.
Designated Safeguarding Leads (DSL)
Our Designated Safeguarding Lead is Mr Dorian Coxon: dcoxon@orchard.tila.school- Assistant Headteacher, Mr Philip Edmonds pedmonds@orchard.tila.school
- Pastoral Manager for Year 7, Mrs Sarah Fear, sfear@orchard.tila.school
- Pastoral Manager for Year 8, Ms Emily Bhakherd, ebhakerd@orchard.tila.school
- Pastoral Manager for Year 9, Ms Deborah Murphy-Piper, dpiper@orchard.tila.school
- Pastoral Manager for Year 10, Ms Beth Jones, bjones@orchard.tila.school
- Pastoral Manager for Year 11, Ms Tracey Pointing, tpointing@orchard.tila.school
All our DSLs can be reached on the main school number: 0117 377 2000
You can also let the Safeguarding Leads know about a situation anonymously through our Whisper Button on our Quick Links on the front page of the website.
Anti-Bullying
Details of our Anti-Bullying Award can be found here.
Prevent and Tackling Extremism
Orchard School Bristol is aware of its responsibilities under Section 26 of the Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2015 and the Prevent Strategy to safeguard pupils at risk of radicalisation. We do this by identifying and risk assessing individuals who may be drawn into terrorism, violent or non-violent extremism. We provide a safe environment for our pupils to explore, understand and discuss sensitive topics, including terrorism and extremist ideology. We use the curriculum and pastoral support to educate our pupils and to enable them to challenge these ideas. Staff are aware of the risks posed by other students and adults who may have been radicalised and the impact of radicalisation via social media. All staff have received appropriate training and have the knowledge and confidence to identify pupils at risk of being drawn into terrorism and extremism, and challenge extremist ideals. Our IT filters are regularly reviewed in order to prevent access to terrorist and extremist materials online at school.
Prevent: what is it?
Prevent is about keeping young people and communities safe from terrorism and extremism. Signs that may indicate a young person is being radicalised include:
- isolating themselves from family and friends
- talking as if from a scripted speech
- unwillingness or inability to discuss their views
- a sudden disrespectful attitude towards others
- increased levels of anger
- increased secretiveness, especially around internet use
You must report this if you notice these signs to your Pastoral Manager, Head of Year or to Mr Coxon.
Exploitation: what is it?
Exploitation is where a young person is made to do something that they would not normally do whether it be sexually or in any way which is manipulative by another group or person.
Some of the signs of Exploitation are:
- Going missing for periods of time or regularly returning home late
- Regularly missing school or not taking part in education
- Appearing with unexplained gifts or new possessions
- Associating with other young people involved in exploitation
- Having older boyfriends of girlfriends
- Suffering from sexually transmitted infections
- Mood swings or changes in emotional wellbeing
- Drug and alcohol misuse
- Displaying inappropriate sexualised behaviour
If this is happening to you or you see signs of this in others, you must report this to your Pastoral Manager, Head of Year or to Mr Coxon.
Prayer
We respect the need for students to pray at agreed times through the school day. Prayer Mats are available.
Young Carers
What is a Young Carer?
“Young carers are children and young people who look after someone in their family who has a disability, a long term illness, or is affected by mental ill health or substance misuse.” - Carers Support Centre
Support for Young Carers at Orchard
At Orchard School we have an outstanding level of support to offer our Young Carers. We work closely with The Carers Support Centre for Bristol and South Gloucestershire and are currently working towards achieving our Silver Award.
We run on a tier-based model when supporting students. We recognise that all families are diverse, and so are the challenges that they may face. You can see a copy of our criteria by clicking here. Our Young Carers lead, Mrs Morris, provides students with a safe space where they are able to spend care-free time with their peers, this also allows them to build a strong and trusting relationship with an adult who can understand them.
The support on offer to our students is varied, it runs on a two-week program, and gives them the opportunity for enrichment activities, but also for one-to-one emotional support. Activities include sports, arts and crafts, games, mindfulness, and much more.
At Orchard we aim to support our Young Carers and their families in any way we can. If you would like any more information please contact Mrs Morris - hmorris@orchard.tila.school
Useful Information
Sense Siblings – A charity that supports the sibling of a child who has any type of additional need, including Autism, ADHD, physical or mental differences and complex health needs. Visit their website for more information. www.sense.org.uk/our-services/support-for-children/support-for-young-carers-and-siblings/
Carers Support Centre – This charity works closely with Schools and other agencies to provide young people with opportunities for respite, activities, and mental health support. Visit their website for more information. www.carerssupportcentre.org.uk/young-carers/
The NSPCC – NSPCC provide free emotional support and enrichment activities to young people. They have a large range of support for parents too. Visit their website for more information. www.barnardos.org.uk/get-support/young-carers
School Nurse and Brook
Your child can book in to see our school nurse by contacting Reception on 0117 377 2000.
We also work with Brook Advisory Service for sexual health and wellbeing Brook – Healthy lives for young people
Video for parents:
Video for students:
Social Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) Support
Orchard School Bristol is committed to promoting the positive social, emotional and mental health and well-being of all students.
We believe that mental health and wellbeing are vital to students' ability to thrive and achieve. Mental health and wellbeing are intrinsically linked to engagement and attainment. One in ten young people has some form of diagnosable mental health condition and we know that children with a mental health problem face unequal chances in their lives, particularly where childhood mental health issues continue into adulthood.
What support does Orchard School provide?
The SEMH team operates in a quiet base off the main corridor called 'The Grove'. We can run a range of SEMH interventions which we have either created ourselves, using evidence-based practices, or have been trained to deliver via external mental health organisations. As a team we meet regularly to ensure we are identifying individual needs, using appropriate, targeted approaches and monitoring impact.
We deliver group interventions for up to 6 students that will focus on a specific SEMH need. We also deliver 1-1 interventions where we create bespoke programmes of targeted support to address individual students' needs.
As well as our SEMH team we also have external support from the NHS Mental Health Support Team. This includes an Educational Mental Health Practitioner and a low-intensity Cognitive Behaviour Therapist that are based at Orchard School for 1 day a week. Students are referred to SEMH initiatives via their Pastoral Managers who all staff can contact with any concerns. Referrals are then triaged by the Mental Health Manager.
Please see a link to our SEMH initiatives booklet to discover the interventions we offer:
SEMH initiatives booklet 23-24
Our specialist SEMH team in school includes:
- Mr Dan Tucker - Mental Health Manager (SMHL, ELSA)
- Mrs Helen Morris - SEMH Practitioner (ELSA)
- Mrs Natalia Lyes - SEMH Practitioner (ELSA)
- Mrs Sylwia Tomasik - SEMH Practitioner
We have listed a number of support helplines and websites alongside some resources which may be of help to your families. Please take a look as they are very helpful.
SEMH Newsletters
SEMH Term Newsletters 2023-2024:
SEMH Term Newsletters 2024-2025:
We all have mental health - video
Let’s talk mental health - video
CV-19 science video - this is to gain a better and clearer understanding of Covid -19
Other Self Help Guidance
https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/publications/how-manage-and-reduce-stress
Anxiety management
Apple app - click here
Anxiety social story to support understanding Covid 19 and self-help - click image
Who you can talk to:
Anxiety UK: 08444 775 774
MIND (Mental Health):0300 123 3393
Kidscape (keep safe and bullying): 020 7730 3300
Bereavement support
Child bereavement UK: 0800 028 8840
General advice on mental health
We all have mental health, yet it's often something we find difficult to talk about when we're struggling. With one in 10 children and young people in the UK - that's three in every classroom! - suffering from a diagnosable mental health problem, we think it's important that you know who to turn to for help. Besides speaking to an OSB member of staff, or a trusted adult, here is a list of useful contacts offering advice and support:
Bristol services
NHS Bristol
The Emotional Health Directory of Services for Children and Young People aims to be the single 'go to' place for information about children and young people’s emotional health in Bristol, including services commissioned by Bristol Clinical Commissioning Group.
Kooth
Kooth is a free online service offering emotional and mental health support for children and young people, aged 11-25. Users can have a drop-in chat with a counsellor, therapist or book a one-to-one session. They have a monitored online forum and users can also record a journal. www.kooth.com
Off the Record
Off the Record provides free and confidential mental health support, information and workshops for young people aged 11-25 in Bristol. www.otrbristol.org.uk / 0808 808 9120
TESS
TESS is a text and email support service that is run by Self Injury Support, which offers help to girls and young women up to 24 in the UK who are affected by self-harm. 0780 047 2908 (Open Sunday - Friday, 7-9pm). Visit www.selfinjurysupport.org.uk to access their email service.
National Services
Anorexia & Bulimia Care (ABC)
ABC offers personal, ongoing, emotional support and practical guidance for recovery for people struggling with Anorexia Nervose, Bulimia Nervosa and binge eating, in addition to related self-harm. www.anorexiabulimiacare.org.uk / 03000 11 12 13
Anti-Bullying Alliance
Detailed information for anyone being bullied, along with advice for parents and schools. Signposts to various helplines and websites for further support. http://www.anti-bullyingalliance.org.uk/
BEAT
BEAT is the UK's leading charity supporting anyone affected by eating disorders or difficulties with food, weight and shape. www.b-eat.co.uk / Youthline: 0345 634 7650
Bullying UK
Provides advice on all aspects of bullying. www.bullying.co.uk / 0808 800 2222
Childline
A 24-hour helpline for children and young people to discuss any issues they're concerned about. www.childline.org.uk / 0800 1111
National Self Harm Network
Support for individuals who self harm to reduce emotional distress and improve their quality of life. www.nshn.co.uk
NHS Choices - Young People and Mental Health
An information hub offering young people advice and help on mental health problems including depression, anxiety and stress. www.nhs.uk/livewell/youth-mental-health
NSPCC - Report Abuse in Education
A new helpline from NSPCC, dedicated to reporting abuse in education for children and young adults who have experienced sexual harrassment or abuse at school, or for worried adults and professionals that need support and guidance. help@nspcc.org.uk / 0800 136 663
Papyrus and Hopeline247 - Suicide support
A national charity dedicated to the prevention of suicide among young people. www.papyrus-uk.org 0800 068 4141
Hopeline247- a 24 hour helpline run by Papyrus, for young people having thoughts of suicide or anyone concerned for a young person that might be. Confidential support and practical advice.
Call: 0800 068 4141
Text:88247
Email: pat@papyrus-uk.org
Website: www.papyrus-uk.org
Rape Crisis
Provide and sign post to a range of services to support people who have experience rape, child abuse or any kind of sexual violence. https://rapecrisis.org.uk/
The Survivors Trust
UK-wide national umbrella agency with resources and support dedicated to survivors of rape, sexual violence and child sex abuse. https://thesurvivorstrust.org/isva/
Talk to Frank
Friendly, confidential advice on drugs. www.talktofrank.com / 0300 123 6600 / live chat, text: 82111
The Mix
Support and information about how to cope with various issues, whether it's mental health, money, relationships, finding a job, or drugs. www.themix.org.uk / 0808 808 4994
Time to Change
Time to Change is a growing movement of people changing how we all think and act about mental health. www.time-to-change.org.uk
Winston's Wish
A leading childhood bereavement charity offering practical support and guidance to bereaved children, their families and professionals. www.winstonswish.org.uk / 08452 03 04 05
Young Minds
Young Minds is the UK's leading charity committed to improving the emotional wellbeing and mental health of children and young people. www.youngminds.org.uk / 020 7089 5050
Victim Support
Supporting children and young people who have been affected by crime. Also provides support to parents and professionals who work with children and young people – regardless of whether a crime has been reported or how long ago it was. https://www.victimsupport.org.uk/