Whitgift School

Whitgift School implements social, emotional and mental health education through the Ideatum (PSHEE) programme. The programme includes a range of visiting speakers and regular staff training to support understanding of mental health issues. Well-being is central to the school's ethos and is treated as the responsibility of all staff, with a whole-school approach. Pupils are supported through strong pastoral structures, tutors and year group teams, and a focus on belonging and open, non-stigmatising conversations about mental health. The school provides a coordinated set of supports through its learning and welfare teams to promote healthy relationships, resilience and personal development. It also integrates mental health awareness with its safeguarding framework and online safety policies.

Whitgift School provides Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) provision designed to support neurodiverse students and others with additional needs. The Learning Support Department and the SENDCo lead SEND provision, ensuring staff understand their responsibilities and provide appropriate support, including for students with persistent mental health difficulties who require enhanced educational provision. The school uses targeted support within the school and maintains close collaboration with parents and guardians. Staff receive ongoing professional development to promote good mental health and SEND awareness, and a clear escalation route is in place for concerns. The policy acknowledges that most SEND needs are met within the school; where necessary, external professionals and services are engaged; the school tracks concerns through its pastoral and monitoring processes.

Where English is not the applicant's first language, Whitgift requires an English as an Additional Language (EAL) assessment. EAL guidelines designate that the B2 level is divided into lower, middle and upper intermediate. Intake into Year 9 requires at least the lower end of B2 (or a B1/B2 cusp); Year 9 students have three years to reach upper-intermediate level, with a transition to C1/2 considered achievable. Intake into Sixth Form requires at least middle of B2, ideally upper-intermediate B2 to low C1. The Languages curriculum provides support for students with EAL to ensure inclusive access to pastoral care.

Whitgift has a mental health policy describing the school's approach to social, emotional and mental health issues and aims to promote early intervention and destigmatise mental health. The school uses a whole-school approach with staff training (including Youth Mental Health First Aid) and involvement of parents through pastoral engagement. The policy identifies a network of safeguarding and wellbeing staff, including a designated Mental Health Lead, school counsellors and pastoral teams, and provides counselling on site via the Medical Centre and Learning Support. There are clear routes to external services such as CAMHS, and CPOMS is used to track concerns. The Ideatum PSHEE programme underpins wellbeing education and the school collaborates with NHS and local health partners to provide appropriate support.

Whitgift School recognises safeguarding as a core responsibility and follows statutory guidance Working Together to Safeguard Children and Keeping Children Safe in Education (September 2024). Safeguarding aims are to protect children from harm, prevent impairment of health and development, ensure safe and effective care, prioritise children's best interests, and consider their welfare at all times. A Director of Safeguarding and DSL leads safeguarding work; if an allegation involves the Headmaster, the Chair of Governors is contacted, and the Department for Education guidelines are followed. Staff, pupils and parents are encouraged to report concerns; confidentiality may be overridden to safeguard welfare. CPOMS records safeguarding and welfare concerns, and the policy is integrated with related policies such as anti-bullying, online safety, and counselling.