ACS International School Hillingdon

Wellbeing is integral to ACS Hillingdon, with a professional team of counsellors supporting personal, social, and emotional development through classroom, group, and individual activities. Students have access to age-appropriate counselling services, with short sessions before family involvement when needed. PSHE lessons cover Health and Wellbeing, Living in the Wider World, and Relationships. The Student Wellbeing Triangle and Wellbeing Ambassadors empower students to lead peer-support and wellbeing initiatives. Wellbeing data, including surveys, inform action plans and ACS works with external partners and the Wellbeing Hub to support families and staff.

ACS Hillingdon Upper School is inclusive and supports students with mild to medium learning needs and with exceptionalities. Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging applies to students and staff across race, religion, disability, culture, sexuality and nationality. Academic programmes accommodate the needs of students with mild to medium learning needs as well as those with exceptionalities. Support plans are created for students with physical and mental health issues, and DEIB principles are embedded across the school. Inclusive education is embedded across the curriculum.

The Lower School's English as an Additional Language (EAL) programme supports young learners in a welcoming environment to engage with the curriculum and make friends. Early and primary learners learn English in a supportive immersion setting, using their full linguistic repertoire. Specialist EAL Teaching provides personalised support through dedicated specialists who monitor progress. The EAL Programme in Lower School includes small group lessons, trained teachers, Home Language Enrichment (optional after school), in-class support from specialist teachers, and Universal Design for Learning informed by WIDA standards.

Mental health is a priority at ACS Hillingdon. The Wellbeing team provides counselling services with a focus on positive mental health, confidentiality, and ethical guidelines. Counselling supports students individually and in groups and works with families and school staff to promote resilience and wellbeing. Students participate in PSHE and wellbeing activities, and the school uses wellbeing data (including the Warwick- Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scales) to drive action plans. The Wellbeing Hub offers resources for students, families, and staff.

Safeguarding is a priority and ACS Hillingdon aims to protect students from harm, bullying, abuse, discrimination, and harassment. Students are encouraged to talk to trusted adults and there are designated safeguarding leads, including Jean Glover for Hillingdon. The ACS Child Protection and Safeguarding Policy informs practice and can be found in School Policies. The safeguarding team includes the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and reporting routes include online reporting via CEOP; Operation Encompass participation and parent communication are in place.