Every student at some time needs support and help and at Farlingaye we strive to ensure that appropriate support is provided as soon as possible.

Below is more information on the forms of Early Help we provide our pupils both internally and through the use of external agencies.

Pastoral and Year Co-ordinator / Assistant Year Co-ordinators:

The Year Co-Ordinators and Assistant Year Co-Ordinators are available to students, as are the Senior Leadership Team. These people are visible around the school and operate an open door policy, so students can approach them at any time, with any concern.

Safeguarding Team:

At Farlingaye students are able to seek support from our Safeguarding Team.  Mrs Gilmour, Miss Hankers and Mr Lampard are available for pupils to speak to about a range of issues -this can include:  Mental or Physical health and issues at home. 

Mentoring:

Peer mentoring enables students to discuss their concerns another student who may have had a similar experience. Older students act as 'Aunts and Uncles' to the year 7’s. This support begins from the New Intake Day and lasts throughout year 7, with the older students adopting a tutor group during the transition from primary to secondary education. The 'Aunts and Uncles' listen, discuss and guide the new students to ensure they feel secure and positive about their experiences.

Sixth form students also mentor individual students who need extra support and care. Any student can be mentored and the time students are engaged with the mentoring process can vary from a few weeks during a crisis to a few months while the student gains the confidence to move forward independently.

Just 42:

Farlingaye work closely with a local organisation, Just 42, who provide Compass Mentoring. Compass mentoring involves an adult volunteer discussing with a pupil a range of issues from bereavement, to bullying or poor social skills. Compass mentoring is based around the pupil setting their own agenda and goals and therefore putting them at the centre of the intervention.

Just 42 also run a Christian Support group in school and a Year 7 youth club on Wednesday evenings.

School Nursing service:

Unfortunately no school nurse drop ins will be taking place this term (Autumn 2020) due to Covid-19. We will update students and parents with further information next term.

Any student can text the School Nursing Team using their ChatHealth Service.

What is the ChatHealth Service?

ChatHealth is a service available to young people throughout Suffolk aged 11-19, which lets you text a Suffolk school nurse to ask for confidential help and advice on all kinds of health issues. Including:

-         Sexual health

-         Emotional health and wellbeing

-         Bullying

-         Healthy eating

-         Smoking, drugs and alcohol

-         Self harm

-         General health concerns

-         You can also use this text service to make an appointment with your school nurse.

Number and hours:

You can Text a Suffolk school nurse confidentially on 07507 333356.

The service is available Monday to Friday from 9.00 am to 4.30 pm, excluding bank holidays.

If you text the number out of these hours, you’ll get a ‘bounce–back’ message that explains where to get help, and a school nurse will get back to you the next working day.

In a situation where Farlingaye or a parent feels a  child may need additional support from the school nurse a member of the year team or safeguarding team can submit a referral and more direct, 1:1 planned support can be provided. No referral will be submitted without consent of the parents.

Young Carers:

At Farlingaye we recognise that Young Carers will often need additional support. We have a designated Young Carers lead as well as a Young Carers Group. More specific information about this can be found on the following link:

http://www.farlingaye.suffolk.sch.uk/Young-Carers-Group/

Mental Health:

If you feel that you or your child needs support with their mental health then please look at the following page:

http://www.farlingaye.suffolk.sch.uk/Students/Mental-Health-Advice/

At Farlingaye we also offer a counselling service. This includes 6-8 weeks of 1:1 time with a trained counsellor, discussing issues that are effecting a pupil access or make the most of their education.

On Tuesday lunchtimes there is a ‘HeadSpace’ workshop where pupils in all years can come along and take part in calming activities in a quiet room.

PSHE/Life Skills

PSHE is a key part of the curriculum for all students at Farlingaye. PSHE aims to educate the young person on issues that can affect them or their community and raises awareness of these issues, which can become a normal part of a pupil’s upbringing, but not necessarily easy to deal with.

http://www.farlingaye.suffolk.sch.uk/Curriculum/PSHE/

Drugs and Gangs awareness:

This is an area which is becoming more prevalent in the media. Our Drugs and Gangs awareness co-ordinator, Mr Lampard, has worked closely with the police and Suffolk County Council to set up gang’s awareness evenings for parents of pupils here at Farlingaye and for parents of pupils at our feeder schools. Information about any future evenings around this issue will be published on the website.

Safe places around school:

At Farlingaye we recognise that it can be overwhelming for pupils who are not always comfortable around large groups of people, and urge students to speak to their year co-ordinator if they feel they are struggling, and we can arrange a safe place for the pupil to go.

Farlingaye has a student support area and this can be used for pupils to go to if they are feeling overwhelmed or need a bit of time out. There will always be a member of staff in this area of school who a pupil can speak to, and sort out any issues before they reach a severe level. Students will also use the library as a safe place to go.

Common Assessment Framework:

The Common Assessment Framework is a service provided by Suffolk County Council. It takes a whole family approach in order to improve the outcomes for pupils and their families.

Suffolk County Council states that;

‘If your child needs extra help, the CAF will help them receive the right support at an early stage. Because the CAF is a shared assessment, you and your child will not have to repeat the same details to different workers.’

https://www.suffolk.gov.uk/children-families-and-learning/common-assessment-framework-caf