Wellbeing

At Beacon Rise, we aim to support the wellbeing of our children, parents, and staff in a range of ways.

Our Wellbeing Team

Mental Health Lead — Kathy McGaffin

Hello and welcome to our school’s wellbeing page. My name is Kathy McGaffin and I am the school’s Mental Health Lead. My role involves developing a whole-school approach to promoting better mental health and wellbeing for all staff, children, and parents/carers, as well as creating a culture of openness when talking about mental health. I liaise with key individuals across our school community: our Whole School Approach Practitioner, Katya Roussopoulos; the school’s leadership team; and the school governor for mental health.

Family Liaison Officer — Jyoti Aslam

Hello, my name is Jyoti Aslam. I am the school-based Family Liaison Officer. I’m here to listen, offer support, empathise, and care. I am available to work with parents who need information about school matters as well as help accessing external agencies. I have access to an extensive range of information and can signpost parents to a variety of services:

  • Attendance issues
  • Behaviour support
  • Family circumstances affecting your child (e.g., parental separation, bereavement)
  • Medical / Health concerns

I also provide signposting information to partner agencies, such as the School Nurse, CAMHS, Sure Start, and transition support services.

Whole School Approach Practitioner — Katya Roussopoulos

Hello, my name is Katya Roussopoulos. As our Whole School Approach Practitioner, I work with children, young people, parents, and staff to promote positive mental health and wellbeing across the school community. Rather than providing individual 1:1 sessions, my role focuses on whole-school strategies, class psychoeducation workshops, targeted therapeutic groups, assemblies, and parent/staff training.

Through these whole-school and group activities, we explore key wellbeing topics and build practical tools for managing emotions, stress, and life changes:

  • Psychoeducation Activities & Workshops: Interactive 45–60 minute sessions for classes or groups covering topics such as 5 Ways to Wellbeing, An Introduction to Anxiety, An Introduction to Low Mood, Understanding Emotions: Tools to Thrive, Exam Stress, and Transition.
  • Therapeutic & Parent/Carer Groups: Group interventions focusing on anxiety management, behaviour as communication, Coping Cat, Mind and Mood, Decider Skills, and stress management.
  • MHST Awareness Activities: School assemblies, lunchtime pop-ups, staff training, parent/carer events, and health promotion resources.

Mental Health and Wellbeing Events (2026 – 2027)

  • Saturday 10th October 2026 – World Mental Health Day
  • W/C Monday 16th November 2026 – Anti-Bullying Week
  • W/C Monday 1st February 2027 – Children’s Mental Health Week
  • W/C Monday 1st February 2027 – Safer Internet / Online Safety Week
  • W/C Monday 10th May 2027 – Mental Health Awareness Week

Useful Links & Support for Parents

Local & Regional Support

National Support & Charities

  • YoungMinds — Practical advice, parent helplines, and tips for supporting your child’s emotional wellbeing.
  • Anna Freud Centre — Mental health guidance and resources designed for schools, parents, and young people.
  • Winston’s Wish — Specialist bereavement charity supporting children through grief and loss.

Mindfulness, Anxiety & Home Activities