Focusing Minds CIC is pleased to have started providing SEMH support at Penistone Grammar School, offering person-centred mentoring and coaching tailored to students’ individual needs.
The opportunity brings together a shared commitment to helping young people feel accepted, understood and supported. It also aligns closely with the school’s new way of working and its message that ‘everyone belongs’, introduced at the start of this academic year.
Our support will initially run until February half-term, with scope to extend into the summer term. We look forward to building positive relationships with students and staff and helping young people make meaningful progress.
A shared belief that ‘everyone belongs’
Penistone Grammar School’s commitment to ‘everyone belongs’ mirrors the acceptance at the heart of Focusing Minds’ approach.
Every young person brings their own experiences, strengths, interests and challenges into school. Understanding these differences helps us shape support around the individual and identify what matters most to them.
For us, person-centred support means listening carefully, taking students’ views seriously and involving them in conversations about their next steps. We want young people to feel that their voice matters and that they can discuss difficulties without fear of judgement.
This shared outlook makes the opportunity to work with Penistone Grammar School a particularly positive fit. Our mentoring and coaching will complement the school’s focus on belonging by giving students time to reflect, explore challenges and recognise their strengths.
What does person-centred SEMH support involve?
Social, emotional and mental health needs, often shortened to SEMH, can influence how a young person feels about themselves, their relationships and their experience of education.
Some students may struggle to explain what is troubling them. Others may know what feels difficult but need help finding a manageable way forward.
Our mentoring and coaching creates space for these conversations. Building trust is an important starting point, allowing students to share at a pace that feels comfortable.
Depending on individual needs, support can focus on:
- Building confidence, self-esteem and self-awareness.
- Understanding emotions and developing self-regulation.
- Exploring worries and practical coping strategies.
- Managing frustration and responding to setbacks.
- Developing communication and relationship skills.
- Strengthening motivation and engagement with learning.
Sessions connect reflection with practical action. This might involve recognising early signs of frustration, preparing for a difficult conversation or choosing a small goal to work towards between meetings.
Individualised mentoring for students with SEND
Our approach also recognises the individual experiences of students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND).
Students with similar needs can experience school very differently. We take time to understand each young person’s perspective, including the situations they find challenging and the approaches they already find helpful.
Conversations can explore areas such as feeling overwhelmed, understanding social situations, communicating needs or managing changes in routine. The focus remains on the individual and what could help them take their next step.
Through individualised SEMH and SEND mentoring, we aim to help students recognise their strengths and develop greater confidence in asking for appropriate support.
Recognising meaningful progress
Progress looks different for every student. For one young person, it may mean feeling able to ask for help. For another, it could involve trying a coping strategy, approaching a challenging lesson or responding more calmly to a setback.
These steps provide useful starting points for further development. Our coaching and mentoring helps students identify achievable goals, reflect on what works and recognise the effort involved in making changes.
At Penistone Grammar School, our aim is to support students in ways that reflect both their personal needs and the school’s commitment to belonging.
Support through to February half-term
The initial arrangement will continue until February half-term, with scope to extend into the summer term.
We are pleased to welcome Penistone Grammar School to the schools accessing Focusing Minds support and look forward to making a positive difference together.
Looking for SEMH or SEND support for your school?
Is your school or trust looking for high-impact SEMH and SEND mentoring and coaching support?
Focusing Minds provides flexible, person-centred support shaped around young people and the needs of their setting.
Explore our school support services or get in touch with Focusing Minds to discuss how we could support your students.