Social Emotional Mental Health support (SEMH)

All pupils belong to vertical tutor groups, attend the same house assemblies, year group and ‘House’ activities, and follow a common tutorial programme. We also aim to ensure all pupils have the chance to attend lunch time and after school clubs.

• To particularly support pupils who may experience social difficulties during recreational times, the Access Department have two daily lunch club facility staffed by TA’s. One club has various games on offer including occasionally a pool table, and some Art and Craft work. The other is a quieter club for those pupils who appreciate some ‘down time’ from the school day.  There are also other lunch clubs; chess club, film club, the Eco group, Book group, Creative Writing and various sports clubs which all pupils’ can attend.

• The Access team and Pastoral team arrange a number of group activities throughout the year to support vulnerable pupils and those who would benefit from opportunities to socialise with peers. These groups are run by professionals from various outside agencies and charities.

• From January 2020 there will be two Education-Based Mental Health Practitioners working in school. We are working in partnership with Sydenham Primary school and three other schools, sharing their services. The two Educational- Based Mental Health Practitioners (EBMHPs) will take referrals from Campion pastoral staff. Sessions will be either 1:1 – 6 sessions of CBT for 30 minutes. This means that pupils have to work on the strategies they are given out of the sessions and will need to be willing to take part. Parents need to be involved in the process too.

• Low self esteem

• Low mood or depression

• Anxiety

• Avoidance behaviour

• Separation anxiety

• Low level phobias

• Sleep hygiene

• Thought challenges.

• We also have a Counsellor in school. Pupils who are experiencing difficult situations at home or who are struggling with mental health issues can be referred for a series of sessions. A mentoring programme is also in place. One of our Lifeskills teachers is a trained Bereavement Counsellor and she can provide Bereavement counselling where needed.