Pastoral
At Blessed Thomas Holford, our Catholic ethos places the well-being and growth of every student at the heart of our Sixth Form. We recognise that Year 12 is a crucial, challenging, and exciting transition.
As the Head of Year 12, Miss Mitchell is responsible for overseeing the successful well-being, progress, and development of all students in their first year of Sixth Form.
The Head of Year 12 ensures that students:
- Successfully transition to the demands of A-Level or equivalent study.
- Establish excellent attendance and strong work habits.
- Feel confident and secure within the Sixth Form community.
- Access targeted support for academic or personal hurdles, working closely with the Mrs Gregson (Head of KS5), and the Tutor Team.
Support and Monitoring
Miss Mitchell collaborates closely with the experienced Sixth Form Tutor Team (who remain with the students for two years) to deliver comprehensive, continuous support:
- Academic Monitoring: Rigorously tracking progress, offering early intervention, and providing study skills advice to ensure students meet their potential.
- Welfare and Conduct: Acting as the primary point of contact for Year 12 welfare concerns, upholding college values, and ensuring a positive learning environment.
- Liaison: Serving as a key link between students, parents, and subject staff regarding Year 12 progress.
Safeguarding Note
As in the Main School, any welfare concern regarding a Sixth Form pupil will be reported to the Senior Designated Lead for Child Protection and investigated. Please see 'Keeping Children Safe in Education' in the Policies section for further information.
This robust pastoral care, alongside excellent teaching, ensures that all Year 12 students receive the support needed to achieve their full potential.
Welcome to Year 13.
My name is Miss Connolly and I am the Head of Year 13. This is a pivotal and exciting stage of our students’ journey, and we recognise the unique pressures that can come with it, including exam stress, balancing increasing independence, and making important post-18 decisions. Our role is to ensure that every student feels supported, guided and challenged throughout this final year of their academic journey.
Year 13 is a wonderful time where students truly flourish. Alongside strong academic provision, students benefit from a wide range of enrichment opportunities that allow them to develop leadership, resilience and a sense of responsibility beyond the classroom. Our tailored personal development programme is specifically designed to meet the needs of 17–18 year old young adults, focusing on wellbeing, confidence, life skills and preparation for life beyond school.
We provide comprehensive careers guidance and post-18 support, including university, apprenticeship and employment pathways, ensuring that every student receives personalised advice and guidance. Targeted academic intervention is also in place to support students in achieving their full potential. Our aim is that students leave us knowing who they are, understanding that their contributions to the world are valued, and feeling confident and directed in the path they choose to take next.
There are lots of services available to help and support parents, pupils and families with mental health and general wellbeing.
All Services Available within Trafford
Trafford Family Information Service - A comprehensive directory of all of the mental health services available within Trafford
https://www.trafforddirectory.co.uk/kb5/trafford/fsd/youth.page?newyouthchannel=1
Trafford Virtual Mental Wealth Hub - A single point of access to Mental Health Services available to children and young people in Trafford
https://www.trafforddirectory.co.uk/kb5/trafford/fsd/advice.page?id=YVRNBmiTk9s
Coronavirus Support within Trafford – Advice and information to support you through the current pandemic
https://www.trafforddirectory.co.uk/kb5/trafford/fsd/advice.page?id=6TzAFXlfQtI
Information and Guidance for Children and Young People
Below are some websites which you may find useful if you’re struggling with your mental health. Please reach out to a member of staff or grown up you trust. We are still here for you.
Childline - Information and advice on a range of issues for children and young people, such as abuse, bullying, body image, feelings, friendships/relationships, home/families and school/college/work.
Childnet – if you are suffering from cyberbullying, please tell a grown up that you trust. You can also find help through Childnet https://www.childnet.com/search-results/?keywords=cyberbullying
NSPCC – Support and advice for those living with domestic abuse, physical, emotional or sexual abuse or neglect. https://www.nspcc.org.uk/
Kooth – Free, safe and anonymous online/text support for anybody struggling with feeling lonely, anxious, depressed, suicidal, worried or stressed.
Shout - Free, safe and anonymous online/text support for anybody struggling with feeling lonely, anxious, depressed, suicidal, worried or stressed.
Talkshop - Support with anything causing children and young people worries
https://www.facebook.com/talkshop.sale
Young Minds – Anonymous and confidential online mental health support. If you feel you are at crisis point, then get in touch with someone through https://youngminds.org.uk/find-help/get-urgent-help/
Place2Be – Providing early mental health support for children and young people https://www.place2be.org.uk/
Trafford Young Carers – if you are under 18 and care for someone with a physical disability or mental health condition or drug/alcohol problem, you can get help https://www.traffordcarerscentre.org.uk/
Disordered Eating – Support for those struggling with their relationship with food
Equality and Diversity
Equality and Diversity
If you are struggling with identity issues or want to reach out to other like-minded young people please refer to the links below or contact Mrs Penny-Collings who is the coordinator of ‘We are Family’ which is a group which aims to improve equality and diversity awareness in our school community
Just Like Us (LGBT+) - support for young LGBT+ people
Kids of Colour (BAME) – A platform for young people of colour to explore race, identity and culture and challenge the everyday, institutionalised racism that shapes their lives.
Careers
Connexions - Advice, information and guidance about how to access work/training, job vacancies and CV writing.
https://www.connexions-trafford.co.uk/YoungPeople/Young-people.aspx
You can also get in touch with our Careers Advisor Miss Johnson - Careers@bthcc.org.uk
QDOS Careers – information on education pathways and career choices and career options, together with tools, career advice and preparation for employment and university. https://qdoscareersapp.co.uk/
More Help
More Help
If you feel you need more help even after looking into the services from the previous section and doing all that you can to help with your mental health, you may want to consider looking into the following services.
Trafford School Nurses - Talk to a member of the pastoral team at school to talk about a referral to the school nurse.
https://www.trafforddirectory.co.uk/kb5/trafford/fsd/service.page?id=zJqacT3foOw
42nd Street - Free, confidential counselling and psychosocial support for children and young people with mental health and wellbeing difficulties.
https://www.42ndstreet.org.uk/
Coaching Inside and Out (13+) - Life coaches to work with you on anything causing you a problem, for example anxiety, relationships, returning to school, anger etc.
https://coachinginsideandout.org.uk/
MU Foundation - Inspiring young people to build a better life for themselves and unite the communities in which you live.
https://www.mufoundation.org/en/About-Us
Early Break Trafford - 1:1 person-centred support for a range of difficulties including substance misuse, physical health, emotional health, sexual health, family, education, finance, employment etc. Whole family support where there is an issue with a parent/carer who has a substance use issue.
Young Minds - Parents/carers and children can find helpful guidance and support about young people’s mental health and CAMHS.
https://youngminds.org.uk/find-help/your-guide-to-support/guide-to-camhs/
Information and Guidance for Parents/Carers/Families
If as a parent or carer, you feel you need some mental health support for yourself or someone in your family, please explore the links below.
Trafford Sunrise Parenting Workshops (via Just Psychology) – workshops addressing common mental health difficulties including anxiety, low mood, behaviour difficulties, parental separation and bullying.
https://www.trafforddirectory.co.uk/kb5/trafford/fsd/service.page?id=hFN-ZMxH-mo
Children in Need (CIN - Looked After Children and Previously Looked After Children) – Any issues surrounding CIN, please contact Virtual School. You can also speak to Mrs Tarry (Director of Pastoral Care and Guidance) or Ms Ward (Head of Pastoral Care and Guidance).
Special Educational Needs or Disability (SEND) – Information and guidance for parents and carers of children with SEND is available through the following services in Trafford or by contacting Mr Crampton (SENCO) or Mrs Robinson (Assistant SENCO).
- Special Educational Needs Advisory Service (SENAS)
https://www.trafforddirectory.co.uk/kb5/trafford/fsd/service.page?id=zIBgoaG5OKw
- Trafford Educational Psychology Service https://www.trafforddirectory.co.uk/kb5/trafford/fsd/service.page?id=UMwq2kQxUqM
- Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Information Advice and Support Services (SSENDIASS)
https://sendiass.trafford.gov.uk/Home.aspx
- Trafford Parents Forum Support for parents/carers of children and young people with SEND.
Home Start - Offering support and friendship for families who are struggling to cope with a wide range of situations, such as loneliness, mental ill-health, disabilities, multiple children and increasing poverty and debt. Support is provided to help prevent crisis and family breakdown. Volunteers are other parents that have also been in a difficult situation.
Adult IAPT (Improving Access to Psychological Therapies) - Talking therapies for adults experiencing difficulties with anxiety and depression-based presentations. You can self-refer for talking therapies such as cognitive behaviour therapy, counselling and guided self-help.
https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/find-a-psychological-therapies-service/
Trafford Parents Forum and STEP (Stronger Together Empowering Parents) - Support from volunteers who have or care for children and young people with SEND.
MindEd - Advice and information for parents/carers concerned about the mental health of their child.
Samaritans - The Samaritans offer free, confidential and judgement-free support for those in crisis.
Bereavement Services
If you have suffered the loss of a loved one, please find some help and support below.
Child Bereavement UK - Support for young people who are grieving or parents and families grieving the loss of a child.
https://www.childbereavementuk.org/
Greater Manchester Bereavement Service - Supporting anyone in Greater Manchester that has suffered loss or been affected by a death.
https://greater-manchester-bereavement-service.org.uk/
Once Upon a Smile - Emotional and practical support for bereaved families.
Useful Apps and Resources
https://calmharm.co.uk/ helping to resist and manage the urge to self-harm
https://www.headspace.com/headspace-meditation-app reduce stress and anxiety and sleep better
https://www.prevent-suicide.org.uk/ helping you stay safe in crisis
https://www.getselfhelp.co.uk/selfhelp.htm self help resources on a range of issues
If you or someone you know is at crisis point and are perhaps having thoughts about suicide or self-harm, please call 111 or go to A&E. If you feel you or someone you know is at immediate risk, call 999.