mental health & wellbeing service
We are passionate in offering mental health support to students within Â鶹´«Ã½, so students are able to fulfil their potential and reach their overall future aspirations. The aim of the service is to provide a space for students to talk about their difficulties in life and learn new interventions to help improve their mental health. Furthermore, it can hopefully allow students to succeed better within school and apply a healthier mindset for the future.
Why is support important for young people
- In 2023, about 1 in 5 children and young people aged 8 to 25 years had a probable mental health problem.
- 11 to 16 year olds with mental health difficulties were less likely to feel safe at school, than other students. They were also less likely to report enjoyment of learning or having a friend they could turn to for support.
- Students aged 11 to 16 years who experience mental health were 5 times more likely than other students to have been bullied in person. They were also more likely to have been bullied online.
- Across the UK, 28% of 12 to 18-year-olds have not attended school over the last year due to anxiety and other mental health difficulties.
meet the team
Mr D Page-Jones
Mr D Page-Jones, is our dedicated school counsellor, offering one to one and group support to the students who are experiencing mental health symptoms, such as low mood, anxiety and low self-esteem. He started at Â鶹´«Ã½ in September 2024 and has always had a passion for supporting young people with their mental health, so they are able to fulfil their future aspirations.
Email: dpagejones@sca.shirelandcat.net
Ms K Barton
Ms K Barton is our dedicated Mental Health and Wellbeing Lead. She started her role in March 2025 and is passionate in supporting all the students at Shireland with their Mental health and wellbeing.
Email: kbarton@sca.shirelandcat.net
Please see below the support that we offer within the school to students at Shireland Secondary school and Sixth Form, and what they can take part in.
Head Space is our wellbeing (onsite) service that offers support to students who are experiencing mental health symptoms, such as low mood, self-esteem and anxiety. The aim of the service is to provide a space for students to talk about their difficulties in life and learn new interventions to help improve their mental health. Furthermore, it can hopefully allow students to succeed better within school and apply a healthier mindset for the future. Student’s can be referred to Headspace by their Head of Year or Pastoral Manager.
We are now running Mental Health and Wellbeing Cafe’s/Lunch time clubs for students who would like a space where they can relax and talk about their concerns. The Cafe offers a relaxed environment where students can meet new people, play games, do Mindfulness Colouring and an opportunity to have a chat with a member of the Wellbeing Team.Â
We have mental health reps in each year group to support us at opens days, parent’s evenings and with any mental health concerns regarding the students. These students get an opportunity to complete the Mental Health Champions Award, which helps teach the students valuable knowledge around how to support people who are experiencing mental health difficulties.
We have students from different year groups, take part in the Diana Award training, to become Anti-Bullying Ambassadors within Shireland.
The Diana Award is the only charity set up in memory of the late Diana, Princes of Wales and her belief that young people have the power to change the world. Their mission is to empower young people to lead that change through a range of initiatives which unlock their potential, inspire action and create opportunities, ensuring that no young person is left out or left behind.Â
Furthermore, we receive support from external services such as Reflexions and the Aston Villa Foundation. They run one-to-one counselling sessions and different workshops around different topics, including what is anxiety, understanding myself and others, and exam stress.
Throughout the Academic year, Shireland run Focus Days, where departments are assigned a particular year group to work with throughout the day on structured, specific activities either from a departmental perspective or to fulfil key statutory elements of students’ education.  We incorporate wellbeing sessions within these Focus Days, to help educate and raise awareness to students on the importance of mental health.
