World Mental Health Day shines a spotlight on the the importance of learning to cope with life’s challenges. This is a vital part of a well-rounded education, enabling young people to develop into emotionally resilient adults. At Loughborough Schools Foundation, experienced, and highly qualified Counsellors are embedded into all three schools to ensure that pupils receive specialist support during the times when their needs go beyond the guidance of the Schools’ Pastoral Teams.
All children and young people go through times of change, and this can cause pressure and stress that some find hard to manage on their own. Through first-response support, long term issues can be prevented from developing. Particularly now, when NHS waiting lists are so long, the ability for a pupil to see an accredited Counsellor, usually within a week, is invaluable.
At Loughborough High School, there is a qualified Counsellor available to the girls every day. Beth McPeake and Ruth Shaw work together to ensure that support remains available and consistent to the girls, who are offered appointments of either 30 or 45 minutes. The appointments are usually offered weekly to begin with but are sometimes fortnightly or offered on a one-by-one basis, when requested. Regular reviews are held, during which the Counsellors are led by the girls, and may agree to adjust the length or the frequency of sessions.
Both Counsellors have a wealth of professional and volunteering experience behind them. Beth has an MA in Person-Centred Experiential Counselling and Psychotherapy and had 15 years of experience working in secondary, primary and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) schools.
Similarly, Ruth qualified from the University of Nottingham as a Humanistic Counsellor and brings knowledge about secondary school pastoral care to the role. Ruth also volunteers for ChildLine and Treetops Hospice, highlighting her passion for providing help to those dealing with difficult circumstances.
It has always been my wish to work as a School Counsellor, I love helping young people to flourish and seeing them thrive has always been my passion.
Mrs Ruth Shaw, Counsellor
Both Counsellors’ insight into the practical and inner workings of educational environments means they are fully equipped to support pupils with their mental and emotional health. Pupils are signposted to the Counselling Hub where they can access a range of resources as well as book appointments. Pupils can also be referred to the Counsellor by any member of staff or by a parent or carer.
Whilst techniques are always tailored to the individual pupil, as person-centred Counsellors, talking therapy is a key technique used at Loughborough High School. This includes getting to know the girls on a more personal level and building rapport to establish a base level of trust and understanding.
Counsellors are then led by the pupil to start integrating other techniques or activities. These can include breathing techniques, meditation, gentle movement and stretches, drawing, writing, painting, clay and more. Emphasis is placed on finding out what works for each girl as an individual and equipping them with the tools to excel in education and beyond.
Working as a psychotherapist is a privilege and I never take for granted how much courage and commitment my clients show simply by showing up each week. I would encourage everybody to try counselling and to make time for themselves to regularly check-in with another person who really cares.
Beth McPeake, School Counsellor
Counsellors from all three schools also work closely together and meet around once a month as a peer group to ensure a consistent approach in terms of referral process and person-centred techniques is being used across the Foundation. This is useful when it comes to pupil transitions between schools or when providing support with issues which may affect siblings attending different schools within the Foundation.
This unique, interwoven network brings together the experiences and qualifications of four specialist Counsellors to ensure pupils have access to a direct and integral source of support to help them excel in education and beyond.
