#BeMore Wellbeing at AESG
"A girl’s wellbeing is the foundation upon which her dreams, passions, and future are built."
Introduction
We believe that the foundation for a child’s academic success, personal growth, and overall happiness begins with their wellbeing. We understand that a child's mental, emotional, and physical health is just as important as their intellectual development. That’s why we are dedicated to offering the very best wellbeing support, ensuring that every pupil feels valued, nurtured, and empowered.
This booklet is designed to give you an overview of the exceptional wellbeing services and programmes we offer at our school. From tailored emotional support to mindfulness practices, from building resilience to fostering self-esteem, our approach is holistic and pupil-focused. We aim to create an environment where each child can thrive, feel safe, and unlock their full potential.
Through a combination of individual support, group initiatives, and a school-wide commitment to mental and emotional health, we work together with you to ensure that your daughter receives the care and attention she deserves. We know that when pupils feel supported, they are more likely to excel both academically and socially.
We know that by choosing Alderley Edge School for Girls you are trusting us with your daughter’s education and wellbeing and that is always at the forefront of all we do. Together, we can create a nurturing environment that fosters growth, confidence, and happiness.
Each year, our Duke of Edinburgh Expeditions take place in the beautiful Peak District and Lake District
Introducing Our Wellbeing Leads
Miss McConvilleDeputy Head Pastoral
My role is focused on supporting the wellbeing and personal development of pupils throughout their school journey. I work closely with pupils to provide guidance, manage behavioural and emotional challenges, and ensure a positive school environment. By fostering strong relationships, I help pupils navigate academic pressures, social dynamics, ensuring every student feels valued, supported, and empowered to succeed.
Claire - Our School Nurse
Claire has over 20 years' experience in caring for children, young people and families with physical, complex and emotional difficulties. She is here to provide support for you and your family in times of need, to help avoid crisis and to become someone you know and can trust. Claire is in school everyday from 9.30-2.30pm and can offer time, advise and help you access any other services that will enable you to manage and overcome any difficulties you may face while at AESG.
Rachel - Our School Counsellor
Rachel is an accredited BACP Counsellor and has worked in children’s mental health since 2016.
Rachel always says it’s a real privilege to be able to support pupils, often at times when they need it most.
Currently, Rachel offers a drop in on a Tuesday and Thursday lunchtimes open to any pupil to discuss concerns about either themselves or their friend.
Wellbeing in School
BeMore Connected...
As a small, family school, we encourage the girls to get to know and interact with each other from different year groups. There are a range of international trips arranged each year including visits to Spain, France and an annual ski trip. With over 80 clubs each week for the girls to take part in, they get the opportunity to connect with like minded people and are eager to take up new hobbies such as dance, photography and running
BeMore Active...
Duke of Edinburgh: Each year pupils visit the Peak District and Lake District for their DofE Training and for expeditions. There are many sports clubs including Netball, Hockey, Running Club, Trampolining and just a few of the many clubs that run each week. Our running club runs out of school, through the village and up along the glorious Edge
BeMore Mindful...
There are many wellbeing clubs such as Mindfulness Activity Club, Cross Stitch, Gardening and Chat and Chill Club in the Prep ‘Drop Everything and Read’ - Girls have a reading book with them at all times. Throughout the week they are asked to Drop Everything and Read. It creates a wonderful break in what can be a hectic week
Wellbeing in School
BeMore Open..
Open to learning new things, open to new ideas and ways of thinking. Academic clubs such as Chinese Club allows girls to delve into other cultures
Be open to opportunity - with over 30 different musical instruments to play, pupils can learn how to play music with their friends, learn to sing, act or dance
BeMore Giving...
In our Reception Class, each week the girls go to our local care home to play games and chat with the elderly residents. This has become a highlight for both young and old! Regular cake sales and challenges regularly support local and national charities
“Talking to our trained staff helps pupils make sense of what’s going on inside. It’s a way to feel heard, supported, and not so alone and that can make all the difference."
Wellbeing Support
Every child is an individual and while a whole school approach works, there are times when girls for many reasons need individual support.
AESG Referral Process
On the pupil intranet, pupils can access the Wellbeing Digital Hub. Pupils can submit a self help referral form, which asks questions about how pupils are feeling such as anxiety levels and how often they feel like that etc. The responses will go to our Pastoral Team who will decide what the best next steps will be.
Our Head of Learning Support, Mrs Beecham runs the Learning Enhancement Centre. Girls can attend ‘drop in’ sessions at lunch and break times and attend ‘Quiet Club’ - it’s a place to take some time out and reflect.
Targeted Intervention
Where a pupil would benefit from more specialist support, there are a number of options.
Drawing and Talking, this is for both Prep and Senior girls and allows pupils to discover and communicate emotions through their drawings.
School Counsellor - Rachel Vora
Rachel is our Student Wellbeing Counsellor. She specialises in supporting all students with any mental health related issues/ worries. This includes a wide range of things including low self-esteem, stress and anxiety to eating issues and depression. No issue is too big or small. She is in school every Tuesday and Thursday.
Wellbeing Support
For pupils requiring a higher level of need we can provide help making referrals to GPs and specialist health care providers such as CAMHS.
Pupils who have been referred to external agencies continue to receive bespoke pastoral support from school.
Mental Health First Aid
There are a number of staff who have been trained in Mental Health First Aid. This includes all the Heads of Year, Claire our Nurse and Mrs Wood.
This training has given the staff the tools to do their best to listen to you, to help and find strategies that can work to enable you to take control of what you need. Staff will be available in the Student Wellbeing Hub (above the Music Department) for help at lunchtimes and the Peer Mentors also run a drop in sessions. Go and have a look! There are lots of resources on the MHFA website and there are displays in school with links to these materials too.
Girls On Board
Supporting Girls’ Friendships and Wellbeing
At AESG, we understand how important friendships are especially for girls as they navigate the challenges of growing up. That’s why we use an approach called Girls on Board to help support healthy, happy relationships and build emotional wellbeing.
What is Girls on Board?
Girls on Board is a programme designed to help girls understand their own feelings, manage friendship issues, and develop empathy for others. It recognises that friendship problems are a normal part of growing up but that they don’t have to become overwhelming. By empowering girls to find their own solutions and understand the perspectives of others, Girls on Board creates a more supportive and understanding school environment.
How Does It Work in Our School?
Sessions and Discussions: Girls take part in regular sessions, either as a class or in small groups, where they explore common friendship dynamics in a safe, open space. These are guided by trained staff who help the girls reflect without judging or telling them what to do.
Shared Language and Scenarios: The approach uses carefully designed stories and language to help girls talk about feelings without pointing fingers. By using fictional characters or shared examples pupils can safely explore their own emotions and see things
Girls On Board
Empowerment Through Understanding: Instead of adults stepping in to ‘solve’ problems, Girls on Board encourages girls to listen, reflect, and decide how they want to move forward. This helps build confidence, resilience, and emotional intelligence.
Trusted Adult Support: While the girls are encouraged to lead their own problemsolving, they know there are always trusted adults ready to support them if needed. Staff use the Girls on Board principles to offer calm, consistent guidance.
Why It Matters
Friendship issues can impact self-esteem, concentration, and overall wellbeing. Girls on Board helps girls to:
Feel heard and understood
Develop better communication and empathy
Build stronger, more respectful friendships
Reduce anxiety and emotional stress
By giving girls the tools to understand themselves and each other, Girls on Board creates a kinder, more connected school community where everyone feels safe to be themselves.
