Wellbeing at ACS Egham Upper School

Nurturing Wellbeing

At ACS Egham, wellbeing is at the very core of our educational philosophy. We believe that fostering proactive wellbeing is essential for creating an environment where every student can thrive academically, socially and emotionally.

We understand that wellbeing encompasses a broad spectrum of factors, including physical health, mental and emotional wellness, social connections, and a sense of belonging. Therefore, our efforts are multifaceted and holistic, addressing various aspects of student wellbeing.

Overall, our goal is to create a school environment where proactive wellbeing is not just a goal but a lived reality. By prioritising wellbeing in everything we do, we aim to empower our students to lead healthy, fulfilling lives and reach their full potential both inside and outside the classroom.

Our early help offer

The open communication at ACS Egham makes me feel supported. I’ve felt supported in starting projects, voicing opinions, or concerns, and they’ve all been dealt with amazingly. I love the fact that you always have that we’ve got small homeroom groups – it’s helped me develop a relationship with my advisor, and as a result, I feel that I can talk to them about anything.

Aaron, Grade 9

Wellbeing
commitments

Inclusive and collaborative

A culture of support

Physical wellbeing

Emotional wellbeing

Wellbeing
Spaces

PSHE

At ACS Egham we believe that Personal, Social, Health, and Economic Education (PSHE) is fundamental in shaping compassionate, confident, and responsible individuals. Our PSHE programme fosters a holistic approach, integrating character development, wellbeing, and life skills, all while promoting our ACS values in every aspect of learning. Together, we nurture confident, empathetic individuals who are prepared to face the future with resilience and a sense of purpose.

We can achieve this by integrating PSHE across multiple disciplines, whole cohort assemblies, and PSHE classes which take place once every ten days. Below is an outline of our caurriculum across each of our grade levels:

Grade	Mental Health/Wellbeing	Living in the Wider World	Relationships
1	Feelings;	Media literacy and digital resilience; Belonging.	Families and friendships; Respect
	Healthy choices and balanced routines.		Safe and healthy relationships
2	Personal strengths and achievements;	Media literacy, digital resilience;	Families and friendships;
	Respecting our differences;	Communities, rules and rights	Respecting ourselves and others - consents & permissions
3	Growing and changing;	Media Literacy and digital resilience;	Safe and healthy relationships
	Physical health and hygiene	Money and work; Keeping safe
4	Growing and changing;	Who We Are;	How We Organise Ourselves;
	Personal hygiene	Online safety	Belonging to a community
5	Mental Health, anti-bullying, neurodiversity	Financial Literacy	Puberty, sex education, consent
6	Transition and safety; Health and Puberty	Developing study and organizational skills, financial decision making	Respecting Diversity and Building Healthy Friendships
7	Emotional Wellbeing	Community and Careers	Discrimination, Identity and Relationships
	Drugs and Alcohol
8	Peer Influence: substance use and gangs	Setting Goals Employability skills	Respectful Relationships
	Healthy lifestyle		Intimate Relationships
9	Mental Health and Exploring Influences	Financial Decision Making; and Work Experience	Healthy Relationships; Addressing Extremism and Radicalisation
10	Building for the Future and Independence	Next steps, future academics	Communication in Relationships and Families

Grades 11 and 12

Our PSHE curriculum ensures that our students have real competence in the skills and strategies they’ve been developing throughout their PSHE education, and to extend the knowledge and understanding that they need to equip them for independent living and the next stage in their education or career.

Together with our College Counsellors and our PSHE teachers, students in grades 11 and 12 focus on their life beyond ACS as our students potentially leave home for the first time and live independently as adults, possibly in new and distant locations.

Personal development

Core themes

Core topics

ACS Community

Surveys are sent out throughout the year to gather student feedback as to how we can better support them in our school and wider community.

We operate a proactive wellbeing programme. We actively involve students in decisions that affect them, helping them to feel seen, heard and known in the school and to feel a sense of choice and belonging.

All students are encouraged to participate in co-curricular activities, from charitable work, to community service projects, sports and the arts. We strive to bring out the best in each student, guiding all to achieve beyond expectation, and to enjoy the many friendships and advantages of our truly international learning experience.

Clubs and Activities

Medical Care

ACS Egham has its own Medical Centre with treatment rooms and a nurse.

Our Medical Centre provides students with a safe place to come to receive medical care, advice about physical and mental health issues, and emotional support.

ACS Egham aims to promote good health amongst our students encouraging them to make healthy and positive lifestyle choices.

Safeguarding at ACS Egham

ACS Egham holds the safeguarding of our students as priority. Find out more about our safeguarding policies here.

Safeguarding

Lower School