At Coombe Dean we understand that we have a central role to play in enabling our staff and students to be resilient and support good mental health and well-being. Routines and rules are carefully considered to provide a fair, consistent and safe place, where students and staff can be supported to remain mentally healthy and learn and teach in a disruption-free environment. All students benefit from consistent routines that foster positive mental health and wellbeing, from  positive threshold routines and clear routines for learning in the  classroom, through to having a dedicated tutor who they see every day and Year Team Leader available daily in their "outdoor office".

We recognise that at times, some students may need more than the universal offer and offer additional waves of support as detailed below. As with any intervention, it is essential that the intervention put in place directly addresses the presenting issue/s and therefore work is done with both the student and their parents/carers to ascertain the correct support. Any intervention selected is reviewed and monitored for success with additional interventions or escalation through the waves of support decided on an individual basis.

If you have any concerns about your child’s mental health and wellbeing, their tutor or any member of their Pastoral Team should be the first contact. They will then advise on next steps.

Mental Health and Wellbeing at Coombe Dean 

Mental health is defined as a state of wellbeing in which every individual recognises his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her own community.  

World Health Organisation, August 2014 

Students: graduated response 

Wave 1 All Students 

• Staff who understand mental health and wellbeing signs, vulnerabilities, symptoms and protective factors. 

• Staff who listen. 

• Clear and consistent behaviour system. Half termly reminders of expectations and how to report concerns. Staff take a restorative, relational, trauma informed approach to supporting students to “get it right” through consistent routines and strong relationships: “every interaction is an intervention.” 

• Quality teaching.  

• Personal Development education: RS, PHSE, Citizenship and Mental Health education 

• Access to Sport and outdoor space. 

• Designated Year Group areas with access to YTL at breaktimes. 

• Daily contact with pastoral tutor and YTL. 

• Attendance monitoring and intervention. 

• Noticeboards and resources available in YT areas and inclusion base to support positive mental health and how to access support. 

• DSL and Safeguarding Team available at breaks and before and after school. 

• Diagnostic testing 

Wave 2 School Support 

• Break and lunch safe spaces – clubs, inclusion centre. 

• Support groups – LGBTQ+, B Group, YC Group, Forces Group, Christian Union. 

• Cognitive testing and Exams Access Arrangements. 

• My Coombe Dean Plan, My Young Carer plan, Pupil Premium Plan. 

• Concern monitoring – YTL, link SLT and inclusion team 

• Key workers. 

• Time out card/toilet card and access to the Inclusion Centre to reset during lesson time. 

• Behaviour support. 

• Multi-agency meetings, EHAT. 

• SEN parent group. 

Wave 3 External Support 

• Counselling (Relate, Young Devon). 

• MASH, Educational Psychologist meetings. 

• CAMHS/Livewell South West referral. 

• Specialist services: SHARP referral, Pete’s Dragons, Young Carers, Jeremiah’s Journey, Devon Partnership NHS Trust. 

• Family Group Conference. 

• Alternative provisions . 

Staff: graduated response 

Wave 1 All Staff 

• Supportive colleagues who listen. 

• Time for personal professional development. 

• Staff Wellbeing Charter. 

• Regular staff voice – WeST survey, School surveys, Staff Forum. 

• Wellbeing check-ins as part of line management meetings and PDR. 

• Department meeting time. 

• Visible access to information about maintaining good mental health and wellbeing and where to access support. 

• Staff workspaces and social space. 

• Staff sports and gym access. 

• Free tea and coffee. 

• Friday breakfasts, grab bags for long days (parents evenings and events). 

• Staff social events. 

• Back to work meetings following absence. 

• Access to wellbeing resources through West 

• Regular updates through the Wednesday Whistle 

Wave 2 School Support 

• Line manager support (informal). 

• Referrals to counselling or other support. 

• Formal capability support. 

Wave 3 External Support 

• Counselling (various). 

• CareFirst and Employee wellbeing programme through WeST. 

• Union representation.