Support for pupils at Wycombe Abbey
Supporting you throughout your time in education is at the heart of what we do here at Wycombe Abbey. Support comes in many ways and your needs can vary at different times. You can speak with any member of staff you feel comfortable talking to and they will always do their best to help and guide you. This booklet will take you through some of the different ways which you can access support whilst at school. You can also find information about pupil support on the Where do I turn page of My Wycombe. Scan the QR code to go straight there.
Support within the Boarding House The Boarding House is your term time home and will be the major support network for you during your time at School. Your Housemistress, Deputy Housemistress, Matrons, tutor and all members of the House team will be there to talk through issues with you and to offer advice and guidance. There are always members of staff on duty throughout the day and the evening as well as someone to contact overnight.
The School Health and Wellbeing Centre
The House team can also help direct you to other areas of support within the School and can help organise appointments for you where necessary.
The School nursing team are based in the Health and Wellbeing Centre and they are there to help and support you with all of your health needs. The Health and Wellbeing Centre is open every day and is also staffed in the evenings and overnight. The nurses will be able to offer advice and guidance to help you and they will also be able to direct you to other support providers within the School and can help arrange appointments with the School Counsellor or the School Doctors. 3
Peer Mentors Topics you can talk to them about include: • homework struggles; • stress about exams/tests; • friendship problems; • being new at Wycombe Abbey; • and just anything bothering you at all!
The Peer Mentoring Service is an initiative run by the School where a group of LVI pupils who have undertaken training will be available to talk either in person or via MS Teams. If you’d like to reach out to the peer mentors directly, you can find their contacts on the posters around School, or contact Mrs Blunt or the School Chaplain.
It is a safe space, where you will be completely and fully listened to, with zero judgement.
This support service has been set up because no one should feel that they are alone in facing their problems, whether it be in or out of school.
Even if you just want a space to relax with an older girl, maybe play some board games, or go for a walk, you can reach out to the peer mentors. Details can be found on posters in the Hubs and Boarding Houses.
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Independent Listener
The School Chaplain
The School has a nominated independent listener, Mrs Siobhan Bowen-Davies, who you can contact by calling 01494 896311. You can ring her at any time and tell her you are a pupil at Wycombe Abbey, and she will listen to you and give you advice if necessary.
As School Chaplain, Padre Paul, is responsible not only for the spiritual life of the School but is also available to offer support to you and be a listening ear. You can contact Padre Paul by email and arrange a time to meet and talk (stanawayp@wycombeabbey.com).
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School Counsellors The School has two School Counsellors who work alongside the Health and Wellbeing Centre. Appointments normally last 30 minutes and can be arranged either directly with the Counsellor, through the Health and Wellbeing Centre or through your Boarding House.
Mrs Claire Maddock Claire is a qualified counsellor and coach who has specialised in working with young people for over 15 years. She is a member of the BACP and follows its ethical codes and guidelines. As a counsellor she finds it immensely fulfilling to support young people in optimising their life journey. Her sessions offer a confidential space where you can feel safe and supported. She can provide tips and techniques to overcome issues such as anxiety and stress. She also enjoys using creative alternatives to assist exploring feelings and has a range of sensory items such as painting or mindful colouring available.
The School Counsellors are:
Mrs Heather Ashby-Rose Heather really enjoys spending time with young people helping them to make sense of their thoughts and feelings. As a Person-Centred Counsellor she genuinely believes that each of us has the capacity to be their very best when they are given the opportunity to understand more about themselves. Heather is equally happy to offer a one-off chat or a series of meetings. She works hard to make each person feel comfortable and listened to no matter what they are choosing to share. She believes that no problem is too small; if it’s bothering you, then it’s worth talking about.
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Counselling sessions Centre, or by talking to a member of your House staff. Appointments are arranged after an initial introductory conversation and assessment and are arranged when you are free of commitments. The counselling provision at Wycombe Abbey is free of charge, so you will be able to continue having sessions until both you and the School Counsellors are comfortable with them ceasing.
The School Counsellors are available for both pre-arranged appointments and drop in sessions. All sessions will take place in the Counselling rooms by IT Support. You can arrange appointments by contacting the School Counsellors directly via email (counselling@wycombeabbey.com), through the Health and Wellbeing
Mrs Ashby-Rose’s Hours
Mrs Maddock’s Hours
Monday
Off Duty
9:30am - 7:30pm
Tuesday
Off Duty
9:30am - 7:30pm
Wednesday
10:30am - 7:30pm
9:30am - 7:30pm
Thursday
10:00am - 7:30pm
Off Duty
Friday
11:00am - 5:45pm
Off Duty
Mrs Julia Stanaway Julia is Wycombe Abbey’s Individualised Care Support Worker and works closely with the Safeguarding and Pupil Welfare Team to support pupils who may need additional care and guidance. With a compassionate and nurturing approach, she helps girls navigate challenges and access the support and resources they need to thrive both personally and academically. Julia works closely with pupils, families and colleagues across the School, building trusted relationships and helping to create a safe, supportive environment for vulnerable pupils, including those in care or facing complex circumstances. She is passionate about promoting wellbeing, ensuring every girl feels valued, understood and empowered to achieve her full potential.
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The School Safeguarding Team Safeguarding your welfare and wellbeing is our main priority and you can speak to any member of staff if you are worried or concerned about anything at School or outside. The School also has a designated safeguarding team who are available for you to speak to. If you have any concerns about your own or another pupil’s Wellbeing or any safeguarding issues, please contact a member of the School’s safeguarding team.
Mrs Sophie Blunt Assistant Head (Safeguarding and Pupil Welfare) (DSL)
Mrs Vicky Fawkes Deputy Head (Pastoral) (DDSL)
Mr Nick Woods Senior Deputy Head (DDSL)
Miss Cat Hoyle Rubens Housemistress (DDSL)
Mrs Rebecca Sparks Clarence Housemistress (DDSL)
Mrs Jessica Woodward Wendover Housemistress (DDSL)
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Youth Mental Health First Aiders There are a number of staff who have additional training to help support you. They have undertaken the Youth Mental Health First Aid course and Mrs Blunt and Mrs Fawkes are trained to lead staff through this course. The course empowers these staff to help give you tools to help you and others through tough times. It covers how to: • spot early signs of mental health struggles like anxiety, depression, or self-harm; • offer support with active listening and empathy; • encourage seeking professional help when needed; • handle crises like panic attacks safely and responsibly. The focus is on building confidence, reducing stigma, and fostering a supportive community for mental wellbeing. An up-to-date list of staff who have had this training can be found on the Safeguarding notice board near Big School and in your Hubs and Houses too.
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Sharing an Anonymous Concern You can share anonymous concerns with the School’s safeguarding team via the Safeguarding and Anti-Bullying page on My Wycombe.
Each submission will be followed up by the safeguarding team. This service is not monitored 24 hours a day and may not be monitored during the school holidays. If you have an immediate concern during term time, please speak to a member of staff.
Scan the QR code to go straight there.
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External Support There may be times when you need to talk to someone outside of school. A wide number of websites are listed on the Where do I turn page on My Wycombe. A selection of important organisations are listed below.
The Office of the Children’s Commissioner 0800 528 0731 or email advice.team@childrenscommissioner.gsi.gov.uk Child Line Get Connected (The Mix)
0800 1111 www.childline.org.uk 0808 808 4994 (11:00 – 23:00 daily) www.themix.org.uk
The Samaritans
01494 432000
Cruse Bereavement Care
0808 808 1677
Listening ear
https://listening-ear.co.uk/
Beat Eating Disorders
0808 801 0711 (15:00 - 22:00 daily)
DrugFam
01494 442777 (09:00 - 21.00 daily)
Kooth
www.kooth.com
Young Minds
www.youngminds.org.uk
Shout
www.giveusashout.org
Students Against Depression
www.studentsagainstdepression.org
National Youth Advocacy Service
www.nyas.net
Wycombe Abbey, High Wycombe Buckinghamshire, HP11 1PE enquiries@wycombeabbey.com +44 (0)1494 520 381
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