Learning and Wellbeing Support
Learning & Wellbeing Support Hub specialist support for your child
Recent statistics indicate that more than 15% of pupils in England require some level of SEN support. In addition to this, more than 12% of 5-19-year olds are thought to experience at least one mental health condition. Without appropriate understanding and action, these challenges can quickly become barriers to learning, resulting in further mental health issues or education refusal.
At My Online Schooling we strongly believe that all children and young people should be able to access an education which works for them. We are therefore excited to announce the creation of our Learning & Wellbeing Support Hub, aimed at providing further targeted support and direct alternatives for pupils with additional needs or challenges.
Our Support Hub may be accessed independently from our main school, or in conjunction with it. Classes within the Support Hub will be kept small, with a focus on individual understanding and care.
Currently, the courses we will be offering in our Support Hub are the following:
This course is offered as a direct alternative to our KS2 English courses. In these lessons, pupils will be supported in developing their reading and writing skills with a focus on dyslexia support. We would recommend this course to KS2 pupils with significant dyslexia, those who have missed key areas of learning in their early years, or who require extra support in accessing the English KS2 Curriculum.
This course is offered as a direct alternative to our International GCSE English Language course. In these lessons, pupils will cover the material needed to take their International GCSE English Language exams at the end of Year 11, but at a slower pace and adjusted level.
This course is offered as a direct alternative to our International GCSE Maths course. In these lessons, pupils will cover the material needed to take their International GCSE Maths exams at the end of Year 11, but at a slower pace and adjusted level.
These sessions aim to support pupils who experience anxiety, stress, or worry, and encourage understanding of these feelings. Pupils will be shown strategies to help manage conditions such as Generalised Anxiety Disorder and Panic Attacks. These sessions are run by our Child Counsellor.
Social Stories aim to help pupils with autism understand the world around them, and explain social and practical situations in an unambiguous, literal manner. We would recommend these sessions to pupils who find social understanding a challenge. These sessions are run by an Autism Specialist.
Here at MOS we fully understand the importance of looking after your child’s mental and physical wellbeing, which is why we are delighted to add our MOVE, BREATHE and RELAX sessions to our Learning and Wellbeing Support Hub. These sessions aim to support pupil’s mental and physical wellbeing. A combination of yoga, breathing exercises and meditation tools and techniques will be shared to develop overall wellbeing. Mindfulness has been seen to decrease stress and attention deficit issues, depression, anxiety and even hostility in children. In addition to this, mindfulness has been shown to develop social-emotional awareness, memory and learning, body awareness and coordination, and interpersonal skills. It’s also great fun!
Please note that these are available as separate Junior and Secondary MOVE, BREATHE and RELAX classes.
Timetable
Your child can choose to take our Learning & Wellbeing Support Hub sessions in place of or in conjunction with our standard My Online Schooling live lessons. Please view a timetable for our Learning & Wellbeing Support sessions below:
Learning & Wellbeing Support Hub Fees
Please see a breakdown of the Learning & Wellbeing Support Hub fees for each Key Stage below:
Information Event August 5th, 5.30pm (BST)
You may wish to join us for a special informative event, dedicated to our new Learning & Wellbeing Support Hub. The event will take place at 5.30pm (BST), Wednesday 5th August, and will be run by our Health and Wellbeing Manager, Ella Hall. To register for the event, please click the button below.
Our Pupils' Wellbeing
Think about the last time you had a cold, or had an asthma flare up. Or perhaps when you twisted your ankle, or scratched your knees falling over. What did you do? Did you drink hot lemon with honey to soothe your throat? Did you put a plaster or bandage on your injury? Maybe you stayed on the couch, wrapped in a duvet, and binge watched Netflix.
These are all examples of our physical health going through tough times. Similar to this, we also experience better and worse periods of mental health through our lifetimes. However, whereas we are often taught how and encouraged to take care of our physical health, taking care of our mental health is sometimes not given the same importance.
Looking after our mental health is just as important as looking after our physical health. As anxiety and other mental health conditions are on the rise amongst young people, it is becoming increasingly important to recognise the signs of mental health problems in order to address them early on. Some key signs to look out for are;
- A change in personality
- Becoming withdrawn or refusing to talk
- Losing interest in previously enjoyed activities
- Repeated physical symptoms (eg. headaches, stomach pain etc)
- Change in appetite
- Refusal to attend school
- Becoming unnaturally attached to parents/carers
- Inability to regulate emotions
Health and Wellbeing Manager Ella Hall
Starting my career as a teacher, I saw first-hand how mental health issues in young people can have a devastating impact on their lives, and the lives of their families. This motivated me to return to university, studying for an MSc degree in Psychology, followed by an MSc degree in Forensic Psychology. Throughout this time studying, I also undertook training in dyslexia and autism, and trained as a crisis counsellor for a mental health charity.
Outside of work and study, I love taking my dog, Luna, on long hill walks followed by lunch in a cosy country pub. I also enjoy travelling, finding hidden beaches, and practicing yoga in beautiful places!
Wellbeing Club
At My Online Schooling we understand that the mental health and wellbeing of our pupils has a direct impact on their ability to reach their educational potential. Our Health and Wellbeing Manager Ella runs a free Wellbeing Club for pupils to attend.
Wellbeing club provides pupils with a safe, supportive and positive space to discuss a variety of topics relating to their Health, happiness and wellbeing. Pupils are encouraged to share their ideas and thoughts, and Ella offers guidance on coping with a number of challenges, including stress, anxiety and additional needs.
The Wellbeing Club is available to enrolled pupils. Sign up below.
Online Counselling Sessions with Findlay Headden
We are pleased to announce that we are now offering one-to-one online counselling sessions with experienced Edinburgh-based counsellor, Findlay Headden. Click the button below to find out more.