Pastoral Care, Wellbeing and Mental Health
Pastoral Care and Support at Whitcliffe Mount Academy
At Whitcliffe Mount Academy (WMA), we understand how important it is for every child to feel safe, supported and valued throughout their five-year journey with us. Our dedicated pastoral team is committed to helping every student flourish, both academically and personally, ensuring they have the support and guidance they need to thrive in and beyond the classroom.
Personal Development (PD) Form Groups
When your child joins WMA, they will be placed in a Personal Development (PD) Form Group. Students meet with their group every morning, providing a positive start to the day through consistent routines, encouragement and a warm welcome from their PD Form Tutor.
The PD Form Tutor plays a vital role in your child’s school journey, acting as their key point of contact and providing ongoing guidance and support throughout their time at WMA. They are also an important link between home and school, offering parents and carers a familiar and approachable person to contact with any questions, concerns or changes in circumstances.
Your child’s PD Form Tutor will always do their best to help and, where necessary, ensure that queries are directed to the most appropriate member of staff.
Heads of Year
Alongside our daily pastoral support, each year group has a dedicated Head of Year. These non-teaching members of staff focus on student wellbeing, personal development and helping every student make the most of their time at WMA.
Heads of Year work closely with PD Form Tutors to provide consistent support, promote positive experiences and ensure that students across their year group have the opportunity to succeed.
You can find the contact details for our Heads of Year below.
2026/27:
| Year 7 | Miss N Donaldson | natasha.donaldson@sharemat.co.uk |
| Year 8 | Miss P Johnson | paris.johnson@sharemat.co.uk |
| Year 9 | Mrs L O'Brien | lynne.obrien@sharemat.co.uk |
| Year 10 | Mrs R Spencer | rachel.spencer@sharemat.co.uk |
| Year 11 | Miss A Young | alice.young@sharemat.co.uk |
Senior Leadership and Pastoral Support
Our pastoral team is supported by two members of the Senior Leadership Team who lead and oversee our approach to student wellbeing, behaviour and attendance:
Miss Bland, Deputy Headteacher of Pastoral - katie.bland@sharemat.co.uk
Mrs Stubbins, Assistant Headteacher of Behaviour and Attendance -helen.stubbins@sharemat.co.uk
Working closely with our Heads of Year and PD Form Tutors, they help ensure that every student receives the guidance, encouragement and support they need to thrive throughout their time at WMA.
Together, they are committed to building a positive and supportive school community where staff and students work in partnership, share a sense of pride and strive to be their very best, to Work Hard, Model Kindness and Aim High.
What support is available for my child’s overall wellbeing?
At Whitcliffe Mount Academy, the wellbeing of our students is at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to creating a safe, caring and supportive environment where every student feels valued, listened to and encouraged to reach their full potential.
Everyday Wellbeing Support
Every student has a dedicated Personal Development (PD) Form Tutor who they meet with daily. This consistent relationship provides students with a familiar and trusted member of staff they can turn to for guidance and support. We believe that building positive relationships and maintaining regular communication are essential in promoting good emotional wellbeing.
Our PD Form Tutors also deliver an engaging Personal Development curriculum, which provides opportunities for students to explore important topics, develop their understanding of wellbeing and build the skills they need to navigate life both in and out of school.
Our Heads of Year play an equally important role in supporting student wellbeing, working closely with PD Form Tutors and other members of staff to ensure students receive the care and guidance they need. All staff are trained to support students’ personal development and wellbeing, helping us to foster a positive school culture where we recognise achievements and celebrate positive choices.
Additional and Specialist Support
Alongside the support available to all students, we recognise that some young people may need additional or more specialised support at different points in their school journey.
If you have any concerns about your child’s emotional wellbeing, please contact your child's Head of Year. They will be happy to discuss your concerns with you and help identify the most appropriate support for your child.
Safeguarding and Vulnerable Students
Our dedicated Safeguarding Team also plays a vital role in supporting the wellbeing and safety of our students. Led by Kelly Pilling, our Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), the team coordinates support for vulnerable young people across all year groups and oversees safeguarding arrangements throughout the school.
Working closely with students, families and relevant staff, the team is committed to ensuring that students feel safe, supported and able to access the help they need.
At WMA, we believe that every child deserves the opportunity to flourish. Through our strong pastoral relationships, specialist support and whole-school commitment to wellbeing, we work together to help every student feel supported, achieve their potential and be proud to be their best.
How can parents and carers support their child’s emotional wellbeing?
The pre-teen and teenage years can bring a range of challenges for both young people and their parents and carers. During this time, children experience many changes, including hormonal and physical development, evolving friendships and changing social relationships. These experiences can sometimes feel overwhelming, making the support and understanding of family more important than ever. Click the link for more information : Kirklees Keep in Mind, When things start to wobble
Parents and carers play a vital role in supporting their child’s emotional wellbeing. By creating a safe, supportive and open environment at home, you can help your child feel confident to share their feelings, navigate challenges and develop the resilience they need to thrive.
There is a wide range of support available to help promote your child’s emotional wellbeing. Below, you will find details of advice, guidance and support services that may be helpful for both you and your child.
If you feel you would benefit from additional parenting advice or support, Kirklees Families Together Gateway offers access to guidance and services to help you support your child and your family. Further information can be found via the link below:
www.kirklees.gov.uk/beta/working-with-children/early-support-family.aspx
Online support
Click on the links below to visit websites containing help and advice for emotional wellbeing / mental health issue:
www.northorpehall.co.uk/useful-link/parents-and-carers
Luke's Lads | TCD Charity (tcd-charity.co.uk)
www.getselfhelp.co.uk/selfhelp.htm
Winston's Wish - giving hope to grieving children (winstonswish.org)
www.childbereavementuk.org/young-people/
www.mind.org.uk/information-support/tips-for-everyday-living/stress/developing-resilience/
www.gov.uk/government/publications/coping-with-exam-pressure-a-guide-for-students
Emergencies
If your son/daughter expresses a suicidal plan or attempts to take their life in any way, please take them to A&E immediately so that they can undergo an emergency specialist assessment by the CAMHS Crisis Team.
YoungMinds Crisis Messenger
The YoungMinds crisis messenger service provides free, 24/7 crisis support across the UK. Young People experiencing a mental health crisis and need support, can text YM to 85258.
For more information
Shout Textline | Free 24/7 Mental Health Support Via Text | YoungMinds
Medical Conditions / Dietary Requirements
If your child(ren) have a medical condition/dietary requirement and requires support in school, please download a copy of “WMA SMCP 2026-2027”, complete and return it to victoria.stones@sharemat.co.uk.
By having this information, our First aid team/Support staff can support your child if they experience any discomfort/symptoms whilst with us during the school day.
As of September 2026 we will no longer hold medication in school that is not prescribed by a medical practitioner or in the box/bottle the medication was prescribed in. All medication must be clearly labelled and in date.