Parents and Carers
Working together to support your child
Families know their children well. Changes in mood, friendships, sleep, attendance or confidence can be a reason to start a conversation. You do not need a diagnosis to raise a concern.
Read our parent booklet
Our existing Cardinal Pole parent booklet offers guidance on mobile safety, sleep, anxiety and the adolescent brain. Use it to start conversations and support everyday wellbeing at home.
Open the Cardinal Pole parent booklet — PDF
Request wellbeing support
- Speak to Mrs G Toma, Wellbeing Lead, at a parents’ evening or review meeting. Share what you have noticed, your child’s views and any support already in place.
- The school will discuss appropriate next steps, which may include pastoral or SEND support, targeted wellbeing provision, counselling or liaison with external professionals.
- Support and referrals depend on need, the service’s remit and availability. We will discuss consent and information sharing as appropriate, including any safeguarding responsibilities.
When attending school feels difficult
Emotionally based school non-attendance (EBSNA) describes difficulty attending school linked to emotional distress. Please raise concerns early so that we can understand the barriers together. Neofita Christou supports families experiencing EBSNA and helps staff identify suitable support; she does not work directly with students.
Your child’s voice matters
- We want to understand what your child finds difficult, what helps and which changes could make school feel more manageable.
- Please let us know if you or your child need information in a different format, interpretation or support to take part in a meeting.
Bullying and concerns about safety
Tell school about bullying, including online bullying. Use our existing Whisper reporting route if you prefer to report anonymously. For an immediate concern, contact school directly; do not wait for a parents’ evening or review meeting.
School guidance on reporting a concern about a child