At Ark Alexandra Academy, we seek to promote positive aspects of physical, mental and social health through a variety of ways such as PSHE days & Physical Education lessons, Extracurricular activities, Tutor time sessions, Assemblies, Student Leadership programs and many others.

We are dedicated to promoting positive mental health and de-stigmatising mental health issues.

We deliver mental-health awareness weeks for students in all year groups receiving an assembly asking them to consider the differences between those with a visible, physical illness and those with a perhaps unseen mental health illness, to challenge their own and others’ perceptions of those with a mental health issue and how they could support them, just as they would support someone with a physical illness. Alongside this, students dedicated tutor time PSHE sessions to Mental Health and Wellbeing.

There are also a number of displays across the Academy promoting positive physical, mental and social health; they give students strategies for dealing with these and information, advice and guidance about where and how to access help and support. These are updated regularly to promote a number of key issues linked to wellbeing throughout the year.

Some members of staff are Mental Health First Aiders who are trained to spot the symptoms of mental health issues, offer initial help and guide a person towards support.

For further support

Support for young people:

Supporting families with children that have communication, learning and autism:

Supporting families:

Supporting teens overcome body image issues, academic anxiety, peer pressure, and cyberbullying, including links to other important teen mental health resources:

County Lines

Criminal exploitation is also known as ‘county lines’ and is when gangs and organised crime networks groom and exploit children to sell drugs. 

County Lines is a very serious issue where criminal gangs set up a drug dealing operation in a place outside their usual operating area. Gangs will move their drug dealing from big cities (e.g. London, Manchester, Liverpool etc.) to smaller towns in order to make more money. This can have a really big effect on the community who live there and bring with it serious criminal behaviour.

Gangs recruit and use children and young people to move drugs and money for them. Children as young as 11 years old  are recruited, often using social media. They are exploited and forced to carry drugs between locations, usually on trains or coaches. They are also forced to sell drugs to local users.

Signs to look out for:

Here are some signs to look out for that can suggest that someone you know might be involved in county lines activity.

  • Are they always going missing from school or their home?
  • Are they travelling alone to places far away from home?
  • Do they suddenly have lots of money/lots of new clothes/new mobile phones?
  • Are they receiving much more calls or texts than usual?
  • Are they carrying or selling drugs? 
  • Are they carrying weapons or know people that have access to weapons? 
  • Are they in a relationship with or hanging out with someone/people that are older and controlling? 
  • Do they have unexplained injuries? 
  • Do they seem very reserved or seem like they have something to hide?
  • Do they seem scared?
  • Are they self-harming?

Additional information for parents:

Information about what to do if you think a child is being exploited:

Resource to help you understand the different stages of grooming:

Capturing and reporting intelligence guidance for families:

Extremism and Radicalisation

You may have heard through the news about the strategy called Prevent. As part of this strategy, we teach about equality, what it means to be British and how to be a positive and active member of society. You will be able to see this in practice through initiatives such as our Student Leadership programme and the PSHE and Tutor Programme to name just two areas.

However, being a parent at this time can be very hard as well as confusing and you may well be concerned about your child and what they are accessing through mass media on radicalisation and extremism. Please use the link below for further information.

Online Safety

The Academy takes all incidents, bully and online safety issues extremely seriously.

If you have a concern that you would like to report, regarding anything at home or school, then please use speak to the Safeguarding Team (dsl@arkalexandra.org) or your Head of Year.

E-safety skills are skills for life. Make sure your child understands the risks and can make sensible and informed choices online. This will help them stay safe and get the most from the Internet.

Wellbeing Advice

Head Lice

Head lice can happen to anyone. It is not a sign of poor health habits or being dirty.  

Even though they do not jump or fly, they can spread from one person to another by sharing combs, brushes, clothing, hats and in bedding.

There are many lice treatment shampoos on the market, as well as other mechanical and manual methods of controlling the lice. 

Bedding, clothing, and hats should be laundered in very hot water (120 degrees) on the same day or evening your child is treated.  

Nits (lice eggs) are tiny, white, pearly eggs that attach themselves to the hair shaft close to the scalp. The nit can be removed manually by pinching between two fingernails and pulling it off the hair shaft, or by using a "nit comb", available in most pharmacies.  

All members of the household need to be checked when there is one case of head lice in your immediate family. 

Cold and Flu

Coronavirus

The government has issued coronavirus guidance for early years providers, schools and further education providers. Please see below for information:

The government is closely monitoring the spread of the Coronavirus and is taking action at home and abroad.

The overall risk of Coronavirus to the UK remains moderate. However, we understand that people may be concerned.

Public Health England and the Foreign Office have issued advice for anyone traveling to the area. This can be found at:

Latest information and advice can also be found at:

Advice for parents/guardians

You should not be unduly worried about the possibility of your children catching the Coronavirus.

We [the government] recognise that some families or children may be planning to travel to China during the forthcoming half-term period. If so, please refer to the latest travel advice via the link above.

What action you can take

A UK wide campaign has been launched to provide clear advice on how to slow the spread of Coronavirus.

Please help to support the campaign which promotes basic hygiene practices, such as regularly washing hands and always sneezing into a tissue, to stem the spread of viruses.

    Educate Against Hate

    We all want our children to live in a safe and loving environment so that they can grow up to become happy, confident adults. You will already know that your children can be vulnerable to risks both inside and outside the home, and will have taken steps to protect them so they can grow, learn and develop to their fullest potential.

    Protecting your children from radicalisation and extremism is similar to protecting them from the other harms you may be more familiar with, such as drugs, gangs and sexual exploitation.

    Please use the link below to help educate against hate.

    Where can I find out more information about Dyslexia?

    The British Dyslexia Association is a UK national organisation, offering a wide range of information for parents. Use the link below to find out more.

    Drugs, Alcohol & Tobacco

    Mental Health

    Bereavement

    Support for parents with their children