Wellbeing Matters at Ralph Sadleir
Wellbeing Matters at Ralph Sadleir
At Ralph Sadleir, we believe that emotional wellbeing is the foundation upon which all learning is built. As our students grow into their roles as “Citizens of Tomorrow,” we prioritise a culture of confidence, kindness, and resilience, ensuring every child feels safe, valued, and heard.
Our Mental Health Offer
Our proactive, whole-school approach to mental health blends academic excellence with deep pastoral care. We provide a tiered system of support that ranges from universal classroom initiatives to specialised clinical interventions.
Collaborative Care: At the heart of our provision, we hold weekly meetings between key staff members to ensure a joined-up approach. This allows us to monitor student progress constantly and adapt our care to meet evolving needs.
Vertical Tutor Group Time: Our unique vertical tutoring system allows students of different ages to interact, fostering a sense of community and a “school family” to support daily wellbeing.
Real-Time Response: Our pastoral team is equipped to respond to events in real time, providing immediate support and stability when unexpected challenges impact our community.
Personal Development Curriculum: Through our Personal Development sessions, we equip all students with the practical tools to manage their own mental health and build healthy relationships.
Mental Health Week: We celebrate annual awareness weeks with school-wide activities designed to reduce stigma and teach practical self-care strategies.
Youth Ambassadors for Mental Health: We are proud to be developing our Youth Ambassadors, empowering students to take a lead in promoting positive mental health as peer supporters.
On-site NHS Mental Health Support Team (MHST): We work directly with the NHS MHST, providing early intervention and evidence-based support for students navigating challenges such as anxiety or low mood.
Tailored Wellbeing Plans: We recognise that every child is unique. We develop individualised wellbeing plans tailored to a student’s specific needs, ensuring they have a personalised roadmap of support.
ELSA Trained Staff: Our Emotional Literacy Support Assistants (ELSAs) deliver specialised, short-term interventions to help pupils develop social skills and emotional awareness.
Protective Behaviours: We use this framework to empower students with the message that they have the right to feel safe and can talk to someone about anything, “even if it feels awful or small.”
EBSA Support: We provide dedicated support for Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA), working closely with families to build the confidence necessary for students to engage with their education.
How Students Can Share Their Worries
We want every child to feel they have a voice and a safe way to reach out when things feel difficult. If a student is feeling anxious or has a concern, they can let us know in the following ways:
Talk to a Trusted Adult: Students are encouraged to speak directly with their House Tutor, Phase Leader, or a member of the MHST.
Online Reporting: Students can use our digital “Share Your Worries” platform. This allows them to send a message directly to the pastoral team at any time if they find it easier to express their thoughts in writing.
Our Pastoral Team and Professional Partners
Our multi-layered Key Pastoral Staff Team is led by Headteacher Mrs Kerry Scripps alongside SENDCO Mrs Vicki Wilson, Mental Health Lead Mrs Sam Hindhaugh and Attendance Officer Mr Jamie Haigh.
To ensure the highest level of care, we work closely with external partners and regional partnerships. These collaborations allow us to access specialist advice and ensure a seamless transition between school-based support and clinical intervention. Our partners include:
The Schools Wellbeing Partnership: As a partner of this national network, we are committed to an “all-school” approach to wellbeing.
ESMA (Education Support for Medical Absence): Supporting continuity of education for students unable to attend for medical reasons.
East Herts Schools Mental Health Network: Collaborating across the region to share best practices and resources.
Hertfordshire Step2, CAMHS, and Educational Psychologists.
By integrating NHS professional support and consistent staff collaboration, we ensure that at Ralph Sadleir, wellbeing is a core part of our identity.
Wellbeing Award for Schools (WAS)
We are proud to announce that our school is working toward the Wellbeing Award for Schools (WAS). This framework ensures that mental health and emotional wellbeing are not just add-ons, but sit at the very heart of our school culture.
This initiative perfectly aligns with our core values. By fostering confidence and determination, we empower students to navigate challenges with resilience. Our commitment to kindness and respect creates a safe, inclusive environment where every individual feels valued. Furthermore, by encouraging responsibility for our own wellbeing and that of others, we cultivate a supportive community.
Ultimately, this award supports our school aim: ‘Students of Today, Citizens of Tomorrow.’ We believe that academic success is inextricably linked to emotional health. By prioritizing wellbeing today, we are equipping our students with the self-awareness and empathy needed to become healthy, compassionate, and contributing citizens in the world of tomorrow. This journey is a collective pledge to ensure everyone in our community can thrive.
