promoting positive
Mental Health
We embed wellbeing into everyday school life by:
- Providing PSHE and enrichment lessons covering self-esteem, digital resilience, bullying prevention, and managing emotions.
- Engaging in theme weeks and poster campaigns to highlight positive relationships and wellbeing.
- Conducting whole-staff training on mental health awareness, restorative practice, and trauma-informed teaching.
Support
For All Students
Student Wellbeing Ambassadors
At Thomas Adams, our Wellbeing Ambassadors are a student-led team trained to offer a friendly face, a listening ear, and practical support to fellow students. Our ambassadors, are made up of students from all year groups and hold regular drop-in sessions. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed, need advice, or simply want someone to listen – they’re here for you.
Restorative & Resilience-Building Approaches
We use restorative conversations and resilience programmes to help students learn from incidents, manage emotions, and build relationships.
Personalised Support
- Heads of Year, The Pastoral Team and Senior Mental Health Leads work closely with pupils.
- Referral pathways to The Mental Health Support Team, Social Prescribing and BeeU core services, offering specialist interventions for those needing individual or group therapeutic support.
Support you can aCcess
When Things Feel Hard
THE THOMAS ADAMS
Support
IAPT psychological therapies for mild to moderate anxiety or low mood for ages 16+ NHS England » NHS Talking Therapies, for anxiety and depression
BeeU: Mental Health Helpline. Children and young people seeking mental health support can call 0808 196 4501, MPFT’s Freephone helpline available 24/7
Kooth: BeeU online counselling and emotional wellbeing service for children and young people. The website is available 24 hours; live online chats are between: 12:00 to 22:00 (Monday to Friday) and 18:00 to 22:00 (Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays)
Young Minds: A mental health charity for children and young people.
Papyrus: Support for young people at risk of suicide. Available 10am–10pm M–F, 2pm–10pm weekends and BH Tel: 0800 068 4141
Shout Crisis Text line: If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts and keeping yourself safe text shout to 85258 and someone will call you back
The Children’s Sleep Charity: Their aim is to support families to get a better night’s sleep by offering workshops, clinics and written materials. They use a behavioural approach to sleep and work in partnership with families.
THE THOMAS ADAMS
Wellbeing
Mood Juice: A free NHS app with self-help materials
Kidscape: Tel.: 0207 823 5430 / Resources available for support with bullying
TogetherAll: a 24/7 online wellbeing community for teens and adults.
No Panic: Helpline available for support with anxiety (aged 13–20) Tel: 0330 606 1174.
Childline: Provides information and advice on a wide range of topics that children and young people may be worried about. 0800 1111
Cruse: The UK’s leading bereavement charity; provides a helpline run by trained bereavement volunteers, who offer emotional support to anyone affected by grief. 0808 808 1677 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am–3pm)
NSPCC Learning: Building Connections | Support service for young people
NHS Sleep Apps: There are various apps recommended by the NHS that support with sleep
Supporting
Parents & Families
We support families by signposting to trusted external guidance such as:
- Parenting courses via Togetherness
- NHS advice and Shropshire Advice (Worried about mental health?)
- Low-cost local counselling services like Oswestry U&I
- Shropshire Mind, YoungMinds, and Bereavement Services
Wellbeing
Bullying & Behaviour
Our Trust-wide Anti-Bullying Strategy ensures:
- Training staff to swiftly address all forms of bullying—including those related to gender, disability, or appearance
- Restorative resolution, clear communication of expectations, and consequences
- Safe reporting routes, with “worry boxes” and peer support programmes
Supporting
Staff Wellbeing
We recognise that staff wellbeing supports student outcomes. Staff are offered:
- Peer support and counselling access via Shropshire EPS
- Networks dedicated to emotional resilience
- Trauma-informed practice training
Downloadable Resources
Key Policies & Strategy
Downloadable resources:
- Anti‑Bullying Strategy – Trust-wide framework
- Child Protection & Safeguarding Policy – mental health linked to safety risks
- Relationships, Sex & Health Education (RSHE) Policy
- SEND / SEMH Support Report
Support Contact
How to Reach Out
Should you wish to speak with someone, contact:
- Designated Mental Health Lead – Mrs Jennifer Whitfield
- Heads of Year & Learning Mentors
- Student Support & Pastoral Team via main reception
External
Support Contacts & FAQs
- IAPT: 0300 123 6020
- Shropshire Bee-U CAMHS: 0808 196 4501
- Kooth: online access www.kooth.com/
- Shropshire Mind: 01743 368 64747
What If my child is really struggling?
Speak with the Head of Year or refer via the school’s mental health lead for access to internal or external support
Is counselling available in school?
Yes, sessions with learning mentors and access to counsellors via EPS, CAMHS, or community partners.
How do I access external services?
Through self-referral, school recommendation, or via an NHS GP.
Contact
The Thomas Adams School
Lowe Hill
Wem
Shropshire
SY4 5UB
Tel: +44 1939 237000