Mental Health and Wellbeing

At Alderman White School, we believe that looking after our mental health is just as important as looking after our physical health. We want everyone in our school community – pupils, staff, parents, carers and governors – to feel happy, safe, supported and valued.

We create a caring and inclusive environment where children can grow in confidence, build resilience and achieve their best. We are also working towards the Mental Healthy Schools Gold Award to further strengthen the support we provide.

What this means for our pupils

  • Children are at the heart of everything we do.
  • We promote positive mental health for everyone.
  • Pupils learn about emotions, wellbeing and resilience through the curriculum.
  • We teach strategies to help children manage worries and everyday challenges.
  • We provide extra support for those who need it.

How we support wellbeing

  • A dedicated Senior Mental Health Lead, Mrs Hodgkinson, promotes wellbeing across the school.
  • Mental health and wellbeing are taught through our Personal Development curriculum.
  • Staff receive training to support pupils effectively.
  • Our experienced Pastoral Team provides guidance and support.
  • We have a qualified school counsellor and our emotional support dog, Willow.
  • We work closely with external services, including CAMHS, the Mental Health Support Team (MHST) and The Healthy Family Team.

Levels of Support

Universal Support – Support for all pupils through our caring ethos, curriculum and wellbeing activities.

Additional Support – Extra help for pupils experiencing short-term difficulties or challenging life events, such as bereavement.

Targeted Support – Specialist support and interventions for pupils who need more personalised help.

Need Support?

If you have concerns about your child’s mental health or wellbeing, please contact our Senior Mental Health Lead, Mrs Hodgkinson, at katie.hodgkinson@whptrust.org, or speak to your child’s Progress and Achievement Leader.

Parents and Young People are also able to make a referral to CAMHS/MHST without the need for it to be done through school, please see link below:

CAMHS Self-referral | Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

Nottinghamshire County CAMHS

CAMHS stands for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services. These are NHS services, which in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire are run by Nottinghamshire Healthcare. CAMHS offer support and treatment for children aged 0 – 18 years who have emotional and/or mental health problems.

For more information click on the link below: CAMHS - Information for Parents and Carers | Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust

General Support

We also recognise the importance of regularly signposting students and parents to other agencies as required; please see links below:

BeUNotts - Be U Notts is a free, accessible, and convenient mental health and emotional wellbeing support service for people between 0-25 years of age and their parent and carers. Be U Support | Free Mental Health Service for Children and Young People​

Childline - Childline is a counselling service for children and young people up to their 19th birthday in the United Kingdom provided by the NSPCC. Childline deals with any issues which cause distress or concern. Childline.

Kooth - Kooth is an anonymous site which helps children and young people to feel safe and confident in exploring their concerns and seeking professional support. Kooth.

Nottalone - NottaAlone is a dedicated website providing information and support for young people’s mental health across Nottingham City and Nottinghamshire County. Nottalone.

Shout - Shout is a free, confidential, 24/7 text support service for anyone in the UK who is struggling to cope. To start a conversation, text the word 'SHOUT' to 85258. Give Us A Shout.

YoungMinds - YoungMinds is a national charity which works to promote the mental health of children.  Through our confidential Parents Information Service, we offer help over the telephone to parents who are worried about the emotional well-being of a child. YoungMinds.

Self-harm Support

Calmharm - Calm Harm is intended to help adolescents regulate their emotions and work through overwhelming feelings without harming themselves. Home - Calm Harm App.

Eating Disorder Support

Beat - Beat provides Helplines for people of all ages, offering support and information about eating disorders no matter where you are in your journey. These Helplines are free to call from all phones. The UK's Eating Disorder Charity - Beat.

Breavement Support

The Children’s Bereavement Centre - The Children’s Bereavement Centre is run by a committed team of friendly, supportive and professional people who are passionate about helping children and young people to cope with the grieving process brought on by the death or terminal illness diagnosis of someone close. Helping Children & Young People Through Trauma | Children's Bereavement Centre.


Photos of Willow, our emotional support dog!