Counselling Service

The School Counselling Service provides confidential one-to-one counselling for pupils. The Service aims to help pupils resolve and/or manage personal difficulties whilst developing good emotional health and well-being so they feel safe and happy at school, are engaged with their learning, and can work towards their potential.

Counselling offers pupils the opportunity to talk in confidence about a difficulty they may be having or distress they may be experiencing - and work with the counsellor to find their own way forward from these issues. Counselling is primarily a 'talking therapy' but can encompass other activities to support pupils' expression and communication.

How can counselling help?

Counselling supports pupils to develop a language for feelings, express and understand emotions and difficulties, and find new or better ways to deal with problems. This can help pupils to feel better about themselves and others, take responsibility for their choices, and become more skilled at coping. Our leaflets below give you an idea of the type of problems that pupils bring to counselling. Do not be put off by this, as they are just examples.

Session structure
Sessions will be 45 minutes long. Sessions will always be on the same day and time that is convenient for the learner so that they are not missing out on anything they don’t want to. The child will have the option to come to sessions or not and can leave at any point during the session if they wish.

What have pupils said about counselling?

“My favourite part of the day. I get to talk about my problems with someone who really listens”.

“I use to feel really depressed and worried. I don't anymore. Counselling has really helped me”.

“Somewhere I can talk about my life, stuff I'm interested in. It's better not to bottle things up”.

“I get to clear my head when I'm stressed and too hyperactive”.

Counselling is confidential - what does this mean?

The counsellor does not discuss the content of counselling sessions with anyone else (including staff, parents, and/or carers), unless the pupil asks or agrees for this to happen or there is reason to believe the pupil (or another) is at risk from harm. The counsellor aims to strike an appropriate balance between the protection of pupils' rights to confidentiality in counselling and the sharing of information to safeguard theirs and others' well-being.

For more information about confidentiality and its importance in counselling, click on the links below to read our School Counselling policy and counselling leaflet for parents and carers.

Who is our counsellor?

Rory is a teacher driven towards the successful utilisation and incorporation of behaviour management strategies and coping methods to guide learners to the way of living life by constructive means. After graduating from Bangor University with a degree in Primary Education with Qualified Teacher Status BA (HONS), Rory's road along education grew in multiple ways. The idea that human life is built from knowledge continues to expand internally and drive his career. Rory continued his study of youth through returning to university and studying MA Education Studies with specific focus of Behaviour Management and Analytics, and Counselling in Educational Practice. He now endeavours to create new theories and theoretical hypothesises which are being trialled and tested after research-based experience within schools.

Rory has additionally worked abroad every summer since 2016 in camps across the United States of America, and Canada that work with various communities such as, youth and young adults; living in transitional homing, living with or effected by HIV/AIDS, working towards a healthier lifestyle, exploring their identity within the LGBTQ+ community, living with Crohns and colitis. Rory originally worked as a camp counsellor before branching into the admin role of ‘Camper Care Coordinator’, which allowed him to dive into the fundamentals of campers’ social, emotional, mental health and well-being. Rory will be continuing his international work whilst counselling for Archers’ Brook and teaching in various Welsh schools.

How can pupils access counselling?

Pupils can self-refer for counselling. Staff, parents, carers, and external professionals can also make referrals, provided the pupil has agreed to the referral and is happy to meet with Rory to find out more about counselling and explore if it is right for them.

It is important to remember that counselling is not for every pupil and there are other options for support which may be more appropriate.

How do I make a referral?

If you would like to make a referral, you can contact Rory on the main school telephone number to discuss your situation or to make an appointment to see him. He works Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 8:30am to 3.30pm. Alternatively, you can speak to any member of staff who will discuss your request with Rory as well as the SEMH team who are responsible for assessing suitability for Additional Support interventions.

If you're interested to find out more about counselling, check out the links below. If you have any questions that are not answered here, please don't hesitate to get in touch.

The Counselling Space: