Kooth Talks: Supporting Student Wellbeing Across Senior School

Today, we were delighted to welcome Kooth into school, as Heather delivered a series of engaging and age-appropriate wellbeing talks to our Senior School students.

The sessions formed part of Westholme’s ongoing commitment to supporting positive mental health and ensuring pupils are equipped with practical strategies to look after their wellbeing during the challenges of school life.

Throughout the day, Heather tailored each talk to meet the needs of different year groups:

• Years 11, 12 and 13 explored strategies for managing exam stress, recognising pressure points and developing healthy coping mechanisms during key assessment periods.

• Year 9 focused on healthy relationships, discussing boundaries, communication and respect for self and others.

• Years 7 and 8 took part in a thoughtful session centred on kindness, empathy and the importance of supporting one another within the school community.

• Year 10 concluded the programme with a session on anxiety and self-care, helping students to recognise signs of anxiety and develop everyday tools to maintain balance and wellbeing.

Kooth is a free, confidential and judgement-free online platform that allows young people to access support, seek advice, help others and share their experiences in a safe environment. Having access to Kooth provides our students with an additional layer of support beyond the classroom, empowering them to navigate stress and emotional challenges with confidence.

Westholme remains fully committed to nurturing the wellbeing of every student, recognising that mental health plays a vital role in academic success and personal development.

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Heather and the Kooth team for taking the time to engage so positively with our students and for supporting our whole-school approach to wellbeing.