Well-Being
In-house Well-Being Programmes
Find out about our in-house well-being programmes
Parent Seminars
Watch a recording of our well-being parent seminars
School Counselling Service
Our own confidential Counselling Service
Special Educational Needs
Find out more about special education provision
Homework Club
The Homework Club offers after school homework provision held in the school library
External Well-Being Support
Information and support from external sources
In-house Well-Being Programmes
Please use the links below to find out about our in-house well-being programmes that are available to support students.
Parent Seminars
Below you can find a recording and presentation for each of our parent seminar events. Each has a different focus on well-being.
School Counselling Service

Our School Counselling Service is an important part of the school’s pastoral system, helping anyone that is experiencing difficulties with an aspect of their life – personal or school related. This is a confidential service, although exceptions can apply to this with regard to Safe-guarding – please ask for clarification at the time of referral.
The counselling service is accessed via the Head of House.
What we Offer:
Counselling
One-to-one confidential sessions with a qualified counsellor.
Click here for the counselling leaflet – ‘Information for young people, Parents, Carers and Staff’
Contact Us:

Debbi Armitage MBACP (Accred)
Email: d.armitage@holmfirthhigh.co.uk
Telephone: 07596 917912
Homework Club
The Homework Club is an after school homework provision held in the library.
Here students can access the internet and a range of resources to support them with their homework. The Homework Club runs from 3.30pm – 4.45pm Monday – Thursday and has staff on hand to support students with their homework.
External Support Websites
Mental Health Support
Talking mental health with young people at secondary school
Some advice for parents and carers
Child in Mind podcasts
Child in Mind is a series of podcasts aimed to help parents and carers understand and manage child and family mental health problems.
Head Space
National Youth Mental Health Foundation providing early intervention mental health services to 12-25 year olds
Royal College of Psychiatrists
Specifically tailored information for young people, parents, teachers and carers about mental health
Young Minds
UK’s leading charity committed to improving the emotional wellbeing and mental health of children and young people
Other Useful Support Links
Anti Bullying Alliance
A unique coalition of organisations and individuals, who work together to stop bullying
Beating Eating Disorders
UK’s leading charity supporting anyone affected by eating disorders
CEOP - Child Exploitation & Online Protection
The online advice, help and reporting centre. Make a CEOP report here.
Change 4 Life
Would you or your family like to be healthier and happier?
ChildLine
Private and confidential service for children and young people up to the age of 19
Childnet
Drink Aware
Kirklees Young People Friendly
Up to date information on Sexual Health Services available to all young people within Kirklees
Locala School Nurse Facebook page
Information about the NHS School Nurses can be found on this link, along with health information. The NHS School Nurse Lisa Storey is available in Spectrum every Wednesday lunchtime.
NSPCC
UK leading charity specialising in child protection and dedicated to the fight for every childhood
The Nuture Group Network
The Nurture Group Network exists to promote the development of nurture groups and to ensure the continuing quality of their delivery through accredited training programmes, research on effective practice, relevant publications and information exchange
Parent Info
Expert information to help children and young people stay safe online
Talk to Frank
Up to date information and advice related to drugs
Think U Know
Latest information on the sites you like to visit, mobiles and new technology
Winston's Wish
Leading childhood bereavement charity in the UK, offering practical support and guidance to bereaved children, their families and professionals
Useful mobile apps
Calm App
Calm is an app for mindfulness and meditation to bring more clarity, joy and peace to your daily life. Join the millions experiencing less anxiety and better sleep with our guided meditations, breathing programs and Sleep Stories. Recommended by top psychologists and mental health experts to help you de-stress.
Headspace APP
Guided Meditation and Mindfulness app. Meditation is made simple with guided meditations suitable for all levels from Headspace. Meditation can help improve your focus, exercise mindful awareness, relieve anxiety and reduce stress.
Anger Management Programme
Presented by: Alexander Quinn, Pastoral Manager
Everybody will feel angry from time to time. It is a normal part of the human experience. However, anger (especially in young people) can sometimes become difficult to control. This can lead to situations that are problematic. Young people might get into difficult or dangerous situations or they may learn to use anger to manipulate others.
Anger may be a problem when:
- There isn’t a clear reason for it
- It disrupts a young person’s life at home or school on a regular basis
- It is used by the young person to control or manipulate other people.
- Young people are getting into trouble at school or in the community as a consequence of their anger
- The young person feels unable to control their anger
- The young person has frequent outbursts of anger that scare other people
- Other people are hurt physically or emotionally as a consequence of the anger
With the use of material and guidance from numerous expert sources, Holmfirth High School have developed our own CBT (cognitive behaviour therapy) based Anger management program to support students from within the safety and familiarity of our own setting.
Anger Management Program
- 6 x 1 hour long sessions delivered within the school day.
- Maximum of 8 students per workgroup
- Anger management subjects include
-Developing an understanding of anger.
-Understanding why we get angry and what purpose it can serve.
-Reflecting on the anger displayed by other people.
-Reflecting upon the student’s own anger and its impacts on themselves and other people.
-Develop tools and techniques to manage anger so it doesn’t spiral out of control.
Anxiety Programme
Presented by: Emma Nuttall, Pastoral Manager
At Holmfirth High School, we understand that many of our young people will feel tense or worried from time to time, indeed a certain level of Anxiety helps us stay alert and aware and can actually be helpful in improving our performance.
Most young people will learn how to manage their thoughts, feelings and emotions, but some may need extra support.
When these feelings of Anxiety become increasingly persistent or begin to affect a young person’s ability to live, it is important to seek support.
Anxiety may be a problem when :
- there isn’t a clear reason for it
- it disrupts a young person’s life at home or school on a regular basis
- the problem has gone but the feeling of fear or panic has not
- it interferes with their ability to take part in activities
- they struggle to complete tasks that other children or young people do easily
- their fear or worry seems out of proportion to the problem
- they become anxious or fearful more easily, or more often, or more intensely than other children or young people
- it leads to unhelpful and unrealistic thoughts about themselves and others.
With the use of material and guidance from numerous expert sources, Holmfirth High School have developed our own CBT (cognitive behaviour therapy) based Anxiety program to support students from within the safety and familiarity of our own setting.
Anxiety Program
- 6 x 1 hour long sessions delivered within the school day or extra curricular
- Maximum of 8 students per workgroup
- Each student will build their own portfolio to keep for future reference
- Objectives of the course include :
Developing an understanding of Anxiety, the signs, symptoms and effects
Reflecting upon the student’s own Anxiety and it’s impacts
Learning how to Manage our Thoughts and Behaviours using CBT methods
Reduce our reliance upon Safety Behaviours, such as Avoidance
Develop positive Coping Strategies
- Follow up Anxiety Support Group
Previous attendees have provided the following feedback :
‘I have learnt so much from this course how to think positively, understanding where anxiety comes from and the reason behind it and mostly methods to help ‘
‘I feel less alone and more comfortable speaking about my anxiety.’
‘I think it has made me more aware of my anxiety and given me good coping strategies’
‘The course has helped me feel less alone and realise that other people around me feel similar to me. It has provided me with strategies I can apply when I am struggling.’
Mindfulness Programme
Presented by: Debbi Armitage
MBACP (Accred) Counsellor
Having trained in mindfulness a little over seven years ago, I recognised the great benefits of introducing mindfulness practice to young people. I have developed and run this mindfulness programme both individually with students and as a group programme. I have seen the benefits for our students in areas such as:
- Decreasing anxiety
- Improving stress-management skills
- Improved self-awareness
- Improved self-esteem
- Improving concentration
- Improving sleep
- Decreasing anger
- Coping with mood swings
- Improving relationships
- And many more…
The Benefits of Mindfulness for Kids
Studies show that the benefits of mindfulness for kids may include:
- Increased focus, attention, self-control, classroom participation, compassion.
- Improvedacademic performance, ability to resolve conflict, overall well-being.
- Decreasedlevels of stress, depression, anxiety, disruptive behavior.
www.mindful.org/mindfulness-for-kids
The programme will involve:
- 1 individual introductory session of approximately 10 minutes.
- 4 x 1 hour sessions learning the practice of mindfulness, this will involve learning and experiencing:
- Day to day mindful practice in everyday activities
- Three meditations – recordings provided
- The art of self-reflection and development of self-awareness
- Daily home practice – full guidance will be provided. This will involve putting into practice what is learned in their session.
- Participants will also learn how the brain works with regard to the ‘Stress Response’ and learn the benefits of living in the moment, using their five senses:
- Touch, Sight, Sound, Smell, Taste
- and of course the Breath
- Participants will be enabled to set their own goals – things they wish to improve. They will be enabled to evaluate their goals weekly in order for them to measure the effectiveness of their mindful practice; it is hoped that by doing this, and seeing the benefits, they will be encouraged to continue their mindful practice through life, supporting them through life’s challenges, such as GCSEs, the transition into adulthood and much more.
There will be a maximum of 6 students per group.
The intention is to provide a learning experience which is enjoyed, whilst developing self-care strategies for life.