Student Wellbeing
At Harris Academy Merton, we are committed to creating a safe, inclusive and supportive environment where every student feels valued, respected and able to thrive. We believe that positive mental health and wellbeing are fundamental to academic success, personal development and overall happiness.
We recognise that young people may face a range of challenges both in and out of school, and we are committed to providing early support to help students build resilience, develop healthy coping strategies and achieve their full potential. Our approach promotes wellbeing across the whole school community and encourages students to seek help whenever they need it.
Mental health is everyone's responsibility, and we work closely with students, families, staff and external professionals to ensure that appropriate support is available when concerns arise. We also recognise the importance of early intervention and have a dedicated Early Help Team, alongside access to specialist support services, to help students navigate difficulties and maintain positive wellbeing.
Support Available in School
Students can access a range of wellbeing and mental health support, including:
- Early Help Team support
- Learning Mentor interventions
- ELSA (Emotional Literacy Support Assistant) programmes
- Strengthening Minds resilience and self-esteem groups
- Peer mentoring opportunities
- Behaviour and pastoral support
- School Nurse services
- Targeted Mental Health in Schools (TAMHS) support
- Referrals to external specialist services where appropriate
Who Should I Contact?
If you have concerns about your child's mental health, wellbeing or emotional development, please contact your child's Assistant Principal in the first instance:
Blue Faculty: Mr Semple - SempleJ@harrismerton.org.uk - 020 8623 1000
Green Faculty: Ms Umanithan - UmanithanT@harrismerton.org.uk - 020 8623 1000
Red Faculty: Ms Neal - NealJ@harrismerton.org.uk - 020 8623 1000
Yellow Faculty: Ms Power - PPower@harrismerton.org.uk - 020 8623 1000
Alternatively, parents and carers can contact the Early Help Team, SEND Team or Designated Safeguarding Lead for advice and guidance.
The Designated Lead for Mental Health and Well-Being
Mr Adair - 0208 623 5503 / adairj@harrismerton.org.uk
Harris Academy Merton aims to create a climate where children and adults understand the importance of wellbeing.
We aim to support all students in reaching the best possible outcomes during their education.
We recognise that we have a full and active part to play in protecting our students from issues which may arise surrounding mental health and self-injury.
Local Mental Health Support
A comprehensive directory of local mental health and wellbeing services for children, young people and families can be found here.
Further information for young people in Merton can be located here
National Mental Health and Wellbeing Resources
YoungMinds
Advice and support for young people, parents and carers on a wide range of mental health topics.
https://www.youngminds.org.uk/
Mind
National mental health charity providing information, resources and support for young people and adults.
Anna Freud
Resources and guidance to support children and young people's mental health and emotional wellbeing.
Samaritans
Confidential emotional support available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
stem4
A teenage mental health charity providing information, apps and resources for young people and families.
Relate
Support and advice for young people and families experiencing relationship, emotional or wellbeing difficulties.
Rethink Mental Illness
Information, support services and resources for individuals experiencing mental health difficulties.
In an Emergency
If you are concerned that a young person may be at immediate risk of harm to themselves or others, contact:
- 999 in an emergency
- NHS 111 for urgent mental health advice
- Your local Accident & Emergency (A&E) department
- Samaritans: 116 123 (available 24 hours a day)
At Harris Academy Merton, we want every student to know that they are not alone. Help and support are always available, and we encourage students and families to reach out whenever they need assistance.
YOUNG PEOPLE FROM HARRIS ACADEMY MERTON TRAINED TO TACKLE BULLYING WITH THE DIANA AWARD
Please find our student designed Anti bullying leaflet below and link to our Anti-bullying video here.
On Wednesday 18th May 2022, the Safeguarding Ambassadors took part in a one-day anti-bullying training session run by The Diana Award. Our Safeguarding Ambassadors aged 11 to 17, worked together and acquired vital skills to enable them to change the attitudes and behaviours of bullying by building their skills and confidence to address different situations, both online and off.
The Diana Award’s free Anti-Bullying Ambassador Programme which is available to schools across the UK, sees trainers working with students and other young people to change attitudes surrounding bullying. The programme has a strong peer-to-peer focus, with trainers giving young people the skills and confidence to become Anti-Bullying Ambassadors to tackle bullying in their schools long after the training has finished. The Diana Award’s anti-bullying work is recognised as world-class thanks to this sustainable approach.
The training looked at bullying in different situations including face-to-face and online. At the end of the day, our Safeguarding Ambassadors made an action plan of how to approach bullying issues that may arise in our Academy and committed to their roles as Anti-Bullying Ambassadors.
What Did Our Students Say?
The Diana Award Anti-Bullying Ambassador programme is run by the charity, The Diana Award. The Diana Award was founded as a legacy to Diana, Princess of Wales’ belief that young people have the power to change the world for the better. Its mission is to foster, develop and inspire positive change in the lives of young people.
Excellent attendance is the expectation at Harris Academy Merton. The expectation is that students attend every day unless they are unwell, in which case parents or carers are expected to contact the Academy before 9.00am on each morning of absence.
To report an absence, please contact Mrs K Murphy, our Attendance Officer, on 0208 623 1009.
Medical Appointments
Whenever possible, the Academy asks that medical appointments be made out of school hours. If an in-hours appointment is unavoidable, proof of the appointment will be required (appointment card/letter).
Punctuality
Being punctual to school is just as important as attending every day. We work hard to ensure that all students arrive on time, and we make it very clear to students that there are consequences if they fail to meet this expectation. Parent/carers should be aware that students will accumulate late marks, not just for arriving late at the Academy in the morning, but also being late for lesson registration. Students MUST be through the gate by 8.25am to avoid receiving a late detention.
Persistent Absence
Read the Government's guidance on Persistent Absence (PA) and about the decision to class students with 15% or greater absence as a PA student. The Government is currently considering moving this threshold to 10%.