Student Wellbeing

I work with the students at the Academy by offering emotional/psychological support.

My work is solution focused in nature that seeks to get the student’s emotional and physical needs met in a balanced and healthy way.

This process helps them to navigate the wider world thus ensuring that they can begin to live a life that will allow for them to both flourish and thrive.

I am a UKCP registered Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist with over 6 years’ experience working in both primary and secondary schools. I see young people presenting with many different difficulties, and work flexibly from an integrative perspective, offering a bespoke service based on each young person’s needs.

I am also a lecturer and group facilitator on a Masters programme in Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy at the Centre for Counselling and Psychotherapy Education (CCPE), and sit on the UKCP committee of the College for Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy (CCAP).

I work as part of the Mental Health Support Team in the borough for early intervention. I practice short term evidence-based interventions for low mood and anxiety primarily, but I am happy to have drop ins with students or chat to parents about any concerns they have.

I enjoy meeting with young people to assist them with difficulties they may be experiencing. I love working with children to help them express themselves and their feelings through creative activities. I am passionate about promoting children and families in the borough are thriving.

The purpose of my support is to offer direct support to students and families in school with any hardships they are experiencing such as financial difficulty, SEND concerns or parenting support.

Hammersmith Academy works with Place2Be, a mental health charity that helps young people to explore their emotions and feel better about themselves.

Sometimes young people can feel particularly anxious, low, confused or angry.

Maybe something difficult happened at home, like losing a family member or parents separating. Or perhaps they’re struggling with something at school, such as relations with friends or other students.

This can make them behave differently, lose confidence in themselves or find it difficult to concentrate in class.

Place2Be is there to help young people find ways to cope, so their worries don’t get in the way of their friendships, their learning or how they feel about themselves.

Place2Be’s professionals work with young people one-to-one or in small groups, giving regular support for students who need it.

Young people can also book a short appointment to talk about any problems or worries they have – this is called Place2Talk.

At Hammersmith Academy, West London Zone (WLZ) implements a focused early intervention initiative tailored to the specific needs of students. Link Workers, employed by WLZ, stationed within the school, engage with a designated group of students over 2 years. These students are identified through a collaborative process involving the school and informed by WLZ’s comprehensive analysis of school data, encompassing factors such as academic performance and attendance.

The overarching goal is to guide the students toward meeting both personal and institutional expectations in areas such as well-being, confidence, peer relationships, and academic achievement by the conclusion of the program. Link Workers develop individualised support plans for each student, drawing insights from input provided by both the school and parents.

In partnership with over 40 charities, WLZ coordinates specialised support sessions to implement each student’s plan comprehensively. This approach reflects a belief in the effectiveness of leveraging the diverse array of resources available in the community to ensure that all students engaged in the program have access to the necessary support for their holistic development and success.

At Hammersmith Academy, we are committed to supporting parents in fostering healthy and positive relationships with their children. Through our Triple P Programme, we offer a comprehensive approach to parenting education and support.

This programme is specifically designed for parents who are motivated to enhance their parenting skills and cultivate a nurturing environment for their children. Within our program, we cover Triple P’s 17 core positive parenting skills, equipping parents with practical strategies and techniques to address a diverse range of parenting situations. From effective communication and discipline methods to promoting emotional well-being and fostering resilience, our program provides valuable insights and tools to help parents navigate the joys and challenges of parenting children aged 11-13.

Through a supportive and collaborative environment, parents have the opportunity to engage with experienced facilitators and connect with other parents facing similar experiences. By participating in our Triple P Programme, parents can gain confidence, build stronger relationships with their children, and create a positive dynamic that promotes growth and development for all members.