Safeguarding and Wellbeing

Mental health and emotional wellbeing are a huge priority at RPA. We make a conscious effort to discuss these issues with students as often as possible throughout the school year to keep mental health on the agenda and take away any stigma that discussing mental health may have traditionally had in society.

We deliver a range of assemblies and PSHE activities raising awareness of mental health support available across the school. These sessions inform and remind students about our school values and expectations and discuss the potential risks to themselves and others. We also signpost a wide range of support in and out of school and how to report any concerns or worries that they have. We are always really impressed with how mature and inquisitive students are when discussing these important topics that we build on in and out of curiculum time throughout their RPA journey.

In addition, all students work with local charity LVA Trust and the Mental Health Service through assemblies and a series of workshops to further develop their understanding of mental health through adolescence. These include how to manage transition, exam anxiety and building healthy relationships. We also offer a variety of parent workshops on transition, exam stress and attachment. Additionally, selected students are offered therapeutic and mentoring sessions with LVA, MHS and our pastoral team in small groups and 1:1 contexts to provide additional support. We are really lucky to have a large safeguarding team and an amazing full time school counsellor.

All students complete two AS Tracking assessments every year, and the results are used to track students’ emotional well-being and help identify any potential risk factors and hidden vulnerabilities. 

As always, if you feel that your child would benefit from any extra support around safeguarding or their mental health, please get in touch by emailing:

We are very fortunate to have a fantastic safeguarding team including a full time counsellor on site to support in any way we can.

Designated safeguarding staff contact details

If you have any concerns about a child’s welfare, please contact a member of the Safeguarding team:

Designated Safeguarding Lead for Child Protection is Jack Costello

Contact Details

020 8876 8891

Safeguarding Team

Nabila Jiwa  - Headteacher

Jonathan Grindrod - Assistant Principal

Terry Nardoni - safeguarding Admin

Matthew Farquason - Mental Health Lead

Miranda Bartholomeou - Counsellor

Kirsteen Scott - SENDCo 

Contact Number: 020 8876 8891 

Information for parents about staying safe online

The Internet is constantly changing and it can be hard to keep up with the latest apps and trends. The NSPCC have developed a guide for parents called Net Aware, which gives you clear and simple information about 50 of the most popular sites, apps and games that young people are using. Net Aware allows you to search for social networks by name, category and even icon colour and provides information about reporting, blocking, privacy settings and the type of content that you can expect to come across on that site, app or game. Net Aware provides reviews by parents and children themselves and is aimed at helping you to understand the social networks your child is using so you can have regular conversations with them about staying safe online.

During students’ time at Richmond Park Academy we want them to feel safe and to learn how to keep safe and stay happy. Richmond Park Academy is committed to ensuring that consistent and effective procedures are in place to fulfil our statutory obligation to safeguard and promote the welfare of the young people in our care.

The Department of Education, through Working Together to Safeguard Children (DfE 2013) and Keeping Children Safe in Education (DfE July 2015), places a duty on organisations to safeguard and promote the wellbeing of children and young people. At Richmond Park Academy we are fully committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our students.

On occasion, a student may disclose information of a sensitive nature to a member of staff. When this happens, staff will listen and explain clearly and calmly to students that information about their safety may mean that other people have to be informed in order to support and safeguard them. They cannot promise to keep such information confidential.

When a member of staff has any child protection or welfare concerns about a student, they have a duty to report these concerns to the safeguarding team in the school.

Richmond Park Academy takes its Safeguarding and Child Protection responsibilities very seriously. We work closely with the local authority and other appropriate external agencies to ensure the welfare of all our students.

External Websites and Contacts

Young Minds - a fantastic organisation offering free, confidential online and telephone support, including information and advice, to any adult worried about the emotional problems, behaviour or mental health of a child or young person.

Police child abuse investigation team

Based in Feltham but covering Richmond and Hounslow too, the team can be reached on 020 8247 6333.

Parents Survival Guide

Parenting isn’t always easy. Although it’s often amazing and rewarding to watch your children grow, and to help them learn to be independent, it can also be really hard work.

Parents Helpline

Young Minds offer free, confidential online and telephone support, including information and advice, to any adult worried about the emotional problems, behaviour or mental health of a child or young person up to the age of 25.

A-Z of Mental Health

Reliable information for parents and carers about common mental health and behaviour concerns in children and young people aged 0-25.

NSPCC

The NSPCC’s Parents’ site recognises a big part of keeping children safe is making sure to look after their emotional and mental well-being. The site offers information on an array of topics including mental health and wellbeing; self-harm; sexual behaviour; and talking about difficult topics.

Royal Society of Psychiatrists

The main professional body for psychiatrists in the UK believes that everyone needs the knowledge to make informed decisions about their health and aim to produce information which is: evidence-based, accessible and up-to-date. Their online A-Z leaflets cover all areas of mental health.

NHS Live Well

Over 100 topics on healthy living.

Talk to Frank

An advice section of the site for parents offering up to date advice and information about drugs, providing access to live chat, email and telephone support, as well as leaflets, FAQs and links to other sites.

Alcohol Education Trust

A charity offering information and advice to help parents to discuss issues around alcohol with their children.

Thinkuknow

Thinkuknow is an education programme from the National Crime Agency’s CEOP Command.

Health Matters

Whether you’re a parent or a secondary school aged pupil in any of the nine boroughs where Health Matters deliver their school nursing services, here, you will find lots of health and well-being information to support you or your child’s health. You can also contact the school nurse directly through our ‘Ask a question’ service.

KIDS

KIDS are a national charity, founded over 45 years ago, providing a wide range of support services to disabled children, young people and their families. They support children with any disability from birth to 25 years of age. They offer their support to the whole family with the aim of giving disabled children a brighter future.

Childline

Childline is yours - a free, private and confidential service where you can be you. Whatever your worry, whenever you need help, however you want to get in touch. We're here for you online, on the phone, anytime.

Barnardo's

Barnardo’s believe in children – no matter who they are, what they have done or what they have been through. They will ensure their needs are met and their voices are heard. 

Disrespect Nobody

The 'Disrespect NoBody' campaign is aimed at preventing young people from becoming perpetrators and victims of abusive relationships by encouraging them to understand what a healthy relationship is, to re-think their views of controlling behaviour, violence, abuse, sexual abuse and what consent means within their relationships and directs them to places for help and advice.

Oiimysize

Oiimysize is a youth-led project to raise awareness about how boys talk to girls and what is appropriate.

Kidscape

Their mission is to provide children, families, carers and professionals with advice, training and practical tools to prevent bullying and protect young lives.

Parents' Seminars - Students' Mental Health

Managing Transition to Secondary School

MHST Resource pack Attachment and Transitions (1).pdf

Managing Exam Anxiety

Resource pack - Supporting Young People Manage Exam Anxiety (1).pdf