On course for a happier study experience
IT IS now widely known that anxiety, stress and mental health problems affecting adolescents are on the rise. A 2017 report by the Children’s Commissioner for England also found that 580,000 young people — equivalent to the population of the city of Manchester — are receiving some form of social care or assistance with mental health problems. We are in the midst of a national mental health crisis affecting children and adolescents. Bernard Canetti, principal of Brampton College, an independent sixth form college in Hendon, believes it is imperative that schools have support structures in place and demonstrate an increased awareness and sensitivity to the needs of individual students.
“While obtaining a place at their chosen university and academic achievement are crucial for students, we believe that developing students’ self-belief, confidence and resilience during their time at the college is equally critical,” says Canetti.
“Brampton’s teachers and senior management have put a lot of time and energy, particularly in recent years, into ensuring there is comprehensive support available for those facing psychological and emotional challenges — but more generally to help promote increased levels of selfconfidence and resilience.”
Brampton works hard to ensure it provides a learning environment where students feel they are looked after, but also where they are encouraged to learn from challenging circumstances or setbacks.
Each student is assigned a personal tutor who provides support with both personal and academic matters. The college also has a student counsellor and an educational psychologist, who are available for individual consultation should the need arise.
In addition, Brampton College runs wellbeing workshops. These involve team-building activities, which explore ways to develop a positive attitude and emotional resilience.
Canetti says: “The pressure on young people today is considerable and we see many students come to us suffering from stress, anxiety and a lack of confidence in their own abilities.
“It’s profoundly important that we create an environment where students feel that their teachers are concerned about them as individuals and believe in them, so they are supported and develop into resilient and committed young adults.
“When students leave us feeling confident and happy, then we know we have achieved success.”
Looking after student wellbeing is key. The rest is academic.
Developing self-belief and resilience is critical’