Wellbeing

School counsellors at ACS Hillingdon provide professional assistance through a comprehensive, age-appropriate programme to facilitate the personal, social, and emotional development of students.

The team engages students in classroom, group, and individual activities that are age- and developmentally-appropriate. Individual sessions can consist of up to eight sessions of 20 minutes each on a particular issue before working with the family to identify resources for further counselling support. Students who require long-term support can access this service through a school referral process to a therapeutic counsellor.

Counsellors follow a professional set of ethical guidelines to maintain the integrity and effectiveness of the profession. These guidelines protect the welfare and rights of the students, ensuring their safety and security while building their trust. They provide consistency in the quality and ethical standards of care provided by the school counsellor for all students.

Our counsellors maintain confidentiality unless a safety concern arises. Ensuring student safety, academic achievement, and social-emotional success through psychological flexibility requires effective collaboration and communication with administrators, staff, parents, and the community. Counsellors support students in reaching their potential and becoming successful lifelong learners. They nurture students to be responsible and compassionate global citizens, prepared to face life’s complexities with confidence and self-understanding.

ACS Early Help OFFER

Through the Personal, Social, and Health Education (PSHE) programme at ACS Hillingdon, students develop the knowledge, skills, and attributes they need to keep themselves healthy, safe, positive, and ready for life and work.

Our comprehensive programme has an impact on both academic and non-academic outcomes for students

The PSHE programme in Upper School develops:

• Resilience
• Self-esteem
• Risk-management
• Critical thinking

There are three core themes:

• Health and Wellbeing
• Relationships & Sex Education
• Living in the Wider World (including economic wellbeing and aspects of careers education)

Each student in Grades Pre-K to 10 attends regular PSHE lessons, where they are taught by a specialist teacher.

The curriculum encompasses a wide range of topic areas that support the health and wellbeing of our students.

These include:

• Sexual Health and Relationships
• Personal Safety
• Online Safety
• Drugs and Alcohol
• Mindfulness

Students develop their thinking and learning about physical, social, emotional, and mental wellbeing in these classes.

Surveys are sent out throughout the year to gather feedback from students and parents on how we can better support them within our school and the wider community.

We offer a proactive wellbeing programme designed to help students develop age-appropriate coping skills and prepare them for the future.

Upper School students are encouraged to make their own decisions and consider the impact of those decisions on the community and those around them.

All students are encouraged to participate in a wide range of co-curricular activities, including charitable work, community service projects, sports, and the arts, both in the UK and overseas.

Guided by the principle of genuine mutual respect, we strive to bring out the best in each student, helping them to achieve beyond expectations and enjoy the friendships and advantages of a truly international learning experience.

We actively involve students in decisions that affect them, benefitting their emotional health and wellbeing by helping them feel seen, heard, and known in the school, fostering a sense of belonging.

ACS Hillingdon Upper School is inclusive in terms of race, religion, disability, culture, sexuality and nationality in both students and staff. Throughout the year students are educated about and raise awareness for a variety of topics including neurodiversity, Pride month and Show Racism the Red Card. Academic programmes accommodate the needs of students with mild to medium learning needs, along with those with exceptionalities in different areas. Support plans are created for those with physical and mental health issues. ACS Hillingdon treats all students as individuals to ensure diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging are embedded across the school.

ACS Hillingdon has its own Medical Room staffed by a dedicated team of nurses.

Our Medical Room provides students with a safe place to receive medical care and advice. Additionally, a team of first aid-trained staff offers further medical support to our students.