Pastoral Partners | KAA - Kensington Aldridge Academy

As part of our pastoral support at KAA, we offer a range of counselling, therapeutic and pastoral support to students.

Aldridge Foundation Bright Futures Programme

Bright Futures, created by Aldridge Foundation, is a new programme that combines one-on-one and group coaching with expeditionary experiences, aimed at improving key life and employability skills. Bright Futures is for young people attending Aldridge schools who are facing challenges and need extra support to remain productively engaged in education and on the best path to fulfil their potential.

The Aldridge Foundation Bright Futures Programme, tailored for Year 9 students, has established a robust partnership with KAA that has flourished over nearly three years. Their support, guidance, and warm welcome have been instrumental in fostering a nurturing environment for program participants. We are witnessing numerous positive outcomes among pupils who have engaged with the programme, a testament to the effectiveness of our joint efforts in providing valuable opportunities for personal and academic growth. This ongoing collaboration is poised to continue making a meaningful difference in the lives of students at KAA.

CAMHS

NHS Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAHMS) are a team of specialist clinicians, therapists and nurses supporting children, young people and their families and carers. CAHMS offer support including in-person, individual, on-line and group therapy, talking therapy, art therapy, family therapy, treatments, and urgent care. Students can be referred by their GP, or healthcare professional, academy staff, or social worker.

KAA works closely with CAHMS to develop a range of provision which meets different levels of need as required. Our Director of Inclusion, Jenny Donaldson, oversees and coordinates school-based therapy. Students are offered these services based on referrals by parents, academy staff or care workers, or by self-referral from students themselves. If you think your child would benefit from the services available please contact Ms Donaldson at j.donaldson@kaa.org.uk.

Care for Grenfell NHS

Our therapy and counselling teams work closely with the Care for Grenfell NHS team to ensure that students who have been traumatised by the Grenfell tragedy are offered the right support. Students at the academy may be referred to the Care for Grenfell for an assessment via the schools weekly therapy hub, which is advised by a clinical psychologist and led by our Director of Inclusion.

If you are concerned about the emotional well-being of your child following the fire at Grenfell, you can also talk to the specialist NHS team via:

· Grenfell Health and Well-Being Website www.grenfellwellbeing.com

· By phoning the Grenfell Health & Well-Being Service on 0208 637 6279 and asking to speak to the children’s team

Community Safety Team

The Community Safety Team focuses on supporting young individuals aged 11 to 25 who are either directly involved in or on the periphery of serious youth violence and exploitation. Over the years, the Community Safety Team and KAA have forged a strong and enduring partnership characterised by close collaboration and mutual support.

This collaboration extends beyond mere cooperation; it involves individualised support for students and families as well as joint efforts in organising community events, workshops, and mapping sessions. Together, we strive to address the complex challenges faced by young people in our community, emphasising prevention, intervention, and support. This longstanding partnership reflects our shared dedication to promoting the safety, well-being, and positive development of the youth we serve.

Future Men

Future Men combines one-to-one support and group sessions to encourage boys to improve their skills in effective communication, conflict management, and emotional literacy. The programme facilitates positive peer support and is tailored to be inclusive of all school aged boys including those who may be at risk of disengagement or exclusion. Through meaningful activities and discussions, boys are encouraged to thrive in education, develop their aspirations and to navigate the challenges of male adolescence.

The Future Men Mentoring Project at KAA caters to students in Year 10 and Year 11, providing a valuable opportunity for service users to access much-needed support. Future Men believes that the project owes its success to the diligent efforts of the KAA staff, who have demonstrated exceptional organisational skills in confirming referrals and ensuring the provision of designated spaces conducive to effective mentorship. We eagerly anticipate the continuation of our partnership with Future Men, recognising the invaluable impact it has had on the individuals it serves and the broader community.

INSPIRE

INSPIRE serves students across all key stages who require examination access arrangements, learning profiles, or both. Through diagnostic or standardised testing, they assess students to generate profiles detailing their strengths and difficulties, accompanied by recommendations for students, staff, and parents. When necessary, they arrange meetings with parents to gather case history or provide feedback on assessment findings.

They describe their visits to KAA as met with warmth and hospitality from the staff, who are not only friendly and approachable but also make them feel valued and integrated into a team dedicated to maximising opportunities for their pupils. They believe that KAA exudes vibrancy and inclusivity, characterised by a positive and caring ethos that fosters a nurturing environment for both staff and students alike.

Jamie’s Farm

Jamie’s Farm provides a nurturing environment for young individuals facing various challenges in their educational journey, including those grappling with school disengagement, mental health issues, low self-esteem, and belonging to vulnerable groups such as UASC and LAC. It aims to transform lives through a unique residential programme built around our core elements of Farming, Family, Therapy and Legacy.

Jamie’s Farm’s partnership with KAA consistently demonstrates a profound commitment to selecting suitable candidates for farm visits. They describe the staff at KAA as exhibiting the utmost professionalism, organisation, and unwavering dedication to the well-being of the youth under their supervision. Each trip orchestrated by KAA is meticulously planned and executed, focusing on ensuring the utmost success and fulfilment for the young participants involved.

KAA Mentoring

Our Learning Mentor team provide Social, Emotional and Pastoral (attendance and behaviour) support for targeted students within the Academy. Priority is given to Looked After Children (LAC), students with EHC plan objectives, students on the SEN register for Social, Emotional or Mental Health (SEMH) needs and students affected by the Grenfell Tower fire.

Mentoring sessions are scheduled 1:1 sessions occurring once per week for each student on the mentoring register. Each session takes place in the 1st half of a lesson and lasts 25 minutes. Sessions are scheduled in advance so that no subject is missed more than twice per full term.

All mentoring sessions follow a structured 3-part plan much like the KAA 4-part lesson. The 3 parts of each session consist of:

· Working Together – Mentor plans an engaging activity which helps the student make progress towards their personal goals or objectives.

· Looking Forward – Mentor and student identify potential obstacles and discuss strategies to overcome

In addition to mentoring sessions, Learning Mentors may recommend further interventions including Homework Support Club, Restorative conversations with students or staff, in-lesson support, social and emotional support via Place2Be or KAA Therapies, attendance support, anger management or social skills programme.

Place2Be

As part of our pastoral support at KAA, we offer a range of counselling, therapeutic and psychological support to students and parents. Counselling services at the academy are provided by Place2Be, the leading UK provider of school-based mental health support. Place2Be provides the academy with clinical staff and highly trained volunteer counsellors to help students to achieve their full potential and deal positively with the challenges they face.

Place2Be offers comprehensive mental health support to students at KAA, spanning from Year 7 to Year 13, encompassing one-to-one therapy sessions and various interventions tailored to address students’ mental health challenges. Through a range of therapeutic modalities such as talking therapies, play therapy, and CBT-based interventions, students are provided with a safe and confidential space to explore and manage their feelings, tackle life challenges, and address school-related pressures and friendship issues.

The collaboration between Place2Be and KAA has strengthened significantly over time. Regular meetings between the Place2Be Management Team, the Principal, and the link worker ensure effective communication and coordination of efforts. Referral meetings are held to discuss cases referred between the school and Place2Be, with close collaboration with KAA’s safeguarding team to ensure student well-being.

Place2Be works closely with the KAA link worker to tailor support services to the school’s needs and explore additional areas of assistance. This collaborative approach extends to providing educational resources, organising webinars and workshops for staff and parents, and offering support during critical incidents. Together with KAA, Place2Be remains dedicated to promoting the mental well-being of students, swiftly responding to challenges and fostering a supportive environment for all.

QPR in the Community Trust

The QPR in the Community Trust aims to tackle national issues at a local level, with a focus on oositive physical and mental health and supporting young people to reach their full potential, to create a stronger, healthier, more active community where everyone can thrive. QPR in the Community collaborates with students spanning all year groups, with a primary focus on those in Years 7 to 9. They describe that in their partnership with KAA, they have consistently observed a commendable level of professionalism, reflecting KAA’s commitment to maintaining high standards in their collaboration with the Trust. KAA’s support for the projects initiated by the Trust within the school environment is dedicated to fostering a dynamic and enriching educational experience for our students.

St Giles Trust

St Giles Trust works closely with young individuals who may be vulnerable to involvement in gangs, exploitation, and violence. Their focus is on providing support and guidance to help steer them away from harmful paths and towards positive alternatives.

St Giles Trust described the staff at KAA as professional and accommodating, demonstrating a deep commitment to their work, consistently going above and beyond in their efforts to support the young people they work with, and displaying a strong work ethic and dedication to making a difference in their lives.

West London Zone

West London Zone (WLZ) is a targeted early intervention programme that provides additional opportunities and support to children according to their individual needs. It caters to Year 7-9 students who require early intervention to address their social, emotional, and academic needs. WLZ Link Workers are employed by WLZ and based in the school. They work with a group of children for 2 years. Link Workers coordinate an individual support plan for each child, informed by the school and parents.

Children are identified by the school, informed by WLZ’s data analysis of school data which includes attainment levels and attendance. Thg aim is that the children end the programme ‘on-track’ to meet their, and the school’s, expectations in wellbeing, confidence, peer relationships and academic attainment.

WLZ state that their collaboration with KAA has been exceptional, and has played a pivotal role in facilitating the seamless integration of the new WLZ into KAA. The academy consistently offers invaluable support in navigating any challenges that may arise. Moreover, the broader staff team at KAA has been instrumental in fostering a collaborative environment, working closely with the WLZ link worker to ensure that the support provided to children enrolled in the WLZ program is of the highest quality. They describe the team at KAA as exhibiting an impressive depth of understanding regarding their pupils, their families, and the intricacies of the local area, further enhancing the efficacy of our partnership.