Young people worried about the future: Hear from Haughton Academy

Youthwatch Darlington wanted to find out from local education professionals their tips and suggestions for students who may be worrying more this year due to the uncertain months that are ahead of us. 

1. Where can I turn if I want to talk to someone about what’s happening in school/sixth form/college, if I am feeling anxious about new rules, routines or I am unsure about something?

At Haughton Academy, a pupil’s first face to face contact during the day is with their form tutor, who can clarify any questions about the changes in school. Their form tutor can also provide support to pupils who are feeling anxious. Support can also be given by pupils Head of Year and the pastoral team within school. The pastoral team is made up of the Safeguarding Team, two Pupil and Family Support Workers and myself as a Trainee Psychotherapeutic Counsellor.

2. How has the school/college/sixth form environment changed as a result of the pandemic?

Due to Covid-19, measures put into place has to be stringent, each year group are in their own bubbles; having designated start times and finishing times, and each year group is different. All year groups have their toilet break at different times and unfortunately no food is being able to be served during break. Each year group has staggered times for lunch and their own designated year group areas during their lunchtime. We are operating a one way system within school so that pupils can walk safely around the building in less busier corridors, with their year groups.

3. Where can I go for help in my school/sixth form/college if I feel the pandemic has affected my anxiety?

Usually pupils will speak to their Head of Year if they are feeling like this and are signposted to the pastoral team. Helen Suggett and Mrs Miller are our Family and Pupils Support workers and I, a trainee Psychotherapeutic Counsellor. Most pupils in school, know where to go for support and who to speak to. If pupils do not, they would get the information from their form tutor or speak to their Head of Year.

There is out of school support that pupils can access from home; www.Kooth.com is a fantastic, free, safe and anonymous, online counselling and support service. All year groups had an assembly taken by Kooth last year, to make them aware of the service and how to use it. Our new Year 7’s will be given the same information to ensure they know it is available. Lots of our pupils have now used Kooth.  

4. For planning my future such as work experience and CV building who is the best person to talk to?

Suzanne Lyons is responsible for careers, advice and guidance within school. Suzanne works with pupils from them starting in Year 7, right through to leaving in Year 11 and tracks their destinations thereafter.

5. I’m unsure about my future right now, should I know by now what I want to do next?

It is perfectly normal to not know what you want to do at this stage. Help will be given throughout your time at Haughton Academy, to ensure that you are given all of the support that you need to support your future decisions.

6. How many students know exactly what they want to do next, am I alone in not knowing?

Some pupils have a strong idea of what they might like to do in the future, but even this can change throughout their time at school as they encounter new opportunities. You are definitely not alone, there are lots of pupils who are still to decide what they want to do. There are usually a proportion of Year 11 pupils who still aren’t sure, even when they come to choose their further education choices.

7. Have your own career ideas changed as you have progressed?

Absolutely, I knew that I wanted to work with children, but I wasn’t sure in what way. I thought I wanted to be a teacher or a social worker. I have had jobs working in places such as Pizza hut and have even worked as a Fundraiser for a local charity. I started studying again at 30, to gain a Diploma to be a Psychotherapeutic Counsellor. So even at this age, it is still okay to be deciding about what career or what path you want to take.

8. What tips of tools would you recommend to help students with their own career decisions?

Get as much information as possible about your options to enable you to make an informed choice. Follow your own interests, rather than those of the people around you. Ask for support from school; Suzanne is here every step of the way and all staff are aware of next steps and should be able to answer any questions you may have.

9. Do you have a final message for students in Darlington?

What was normal before, isn’t now, but school is trying to make it as normal as we can, in the guidance we have been given to keep you safe. Routine and being back at school can help you to feel a little more normal. Most of you will love being back at school, seeing friends and learning. For some of you, this will be difficult and you may feel overwhelmed, that is absolutely okay. This may disappear as you settle back into school, if it doesn’t and is impacting you, please speak to somebody and we can support you. You are certainly not alone in feeling this way and you don’t have to deal with this alone, as we are here for you.