At King Edward VI College we recognise the challenges that families face and there may be times when you need extra help and support. Please talk to us. There are many ways we can help through our internal support mechanisms or through signposting to external services, including early help.
We meet the needs of our students via the following services and personnel:
Safeguarding and Child Protection | ||
Role | Name | Contact |
Designated Safeguarding Lead
Safeguarding Officer Deputy Designated Safeguarding Leads All our safeguarding leads have received advanced and bespoke safeguarding and child protection training. Our Designated Safeguarding Lead has a Master of Science degree in Safeguarding. |
Sarah MacKenzie | safeguarding@kedst.ac.uk |
Laura Day | ||
Lowri Saenger
Stuart Parkes Aimie Chatfield |
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Designated teacher for Looked After Children | Anna Smith, assisted by Stuart Parkes | safeguarding@kedst.ac.uk |
Safeguarding Governor | Jonathan Wilding | |
Pastoral Support | ||
Role | Name | Contact |
Lead Tutors
Every student has a Lead Tutor to provide pastoral care and support regarding their programme of study. All our Lead Tutors have undergone Mental Health First Aid and bespoke safeguarding and pastoral support training. |
Mehdi Didarzadeh
Brenda Hampton Rebecca Williamson Sam Watkins |
Please call reception via 01384 398100 who can put you through to your child’s lead tutor or take a message. |
Personal Tutors
Every student has a Personal Tutor who delivers the tutorial programme, conducts one-to-ones and monitors attendance. Most have undertaken Mental Health First Aid training in addition to bespoke pastoral and safeguarding training. |
Lisa Blakely
Louise Fulwell Helen Gould Emily Guest Nikki Hadley Karen Lloyd Tim Middleton Molly Naylor Marie Prime Nicki Sutton Joe Yates Sharon Rollason |
Please call reception via 01384 398100 who can put you through to your child’s tutor or take a message. |
The Retreat
This is a quieter study area for students with special educational needs. |
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Learning Support | ||
Role | Name | Contact |
SENCo | Lowri Saenger | Please call reception via 01384 398100 who can put you through to the relevant member of staff or take a message. |
Access Arrangements Coordinator | Jo Preston | |
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Other Support | ||
Role | Name | Contact |
Counselling Service
The counselling service offers confidential sessions for all kinds of issues including problems at college or at home, relationship problems and mental health concerns. |
Mark Brown
Yvette Browne Charlotte Simpson |
Students can self-refer via counselling@kedst.ac.uk or ask a member of staff to contact the service on their behalf. |
Medical Welfare Officer
Aimie is available for drop-ins or appointments to talk about and offer guidance on physical health, wellbeing, sexual health and first aid. |
Aimie Chatfield | Please call reception via 01384 398100 who can put you through to the relevant member of staff or take a message. |
Mental Health Support Team
This external team work with the Designated Senior Mental Health Lead (Sarah MacKenzie) and deputy Mental Health Lead (Mark Brown) with the counselling team to deliver evidence-based interventions for mild-to-moderate mental health issues. |
counselling@kedst.ac.uk
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Reception
Our caring and friendly receptionists are on hand to help students in a variety of ways including providing directions, information on college services and attendance matters. |
Please call reception via 01384 398100 who can put you through to the relevant member of staff or take a message. | |
Financial Support
Information on the bursary and support with free school meals is available, you will be directed to the relevant person via Reception. |
bursary@kedst.ac.uk
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Careers
Our careers team provide specific support regarding careers, volunteering, work experience and Higher Education options. |
David Handy
Lou Harper Faye Lowe Jane Edwards Emma Parker |
careers@kedst.ac.uk
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Aspire
This programme is open to any student looking to maximise their potential and develop their skills beyond the A level curriculum. We provide a range of activities and opportunities designed to challenge, inspire and guide. |
Nick Barley
Ben Jones Issy Barnsley Lisa O’Connor Kartar Uppal Paige Swadkins Joe Green Brea Herbert Fiona Shaw-Roberts Paul Yapp Deb Hobbs |
aspire@kedst.ac.uk
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Early Help
Keeping Children Safe in Education 2024 makes it clear that staff should be aware of their local early help process and understand their role in it. In addition, this statutory document makes it clear that any child may benefit from early help, but all college staff should be particularly alert to the potential need for early help for a student who:
- is disabled and has specific additional needs including special educational needs (whether or not they have a statutory education, health care plan)
- is a young carer;
- is showing signs of being drawn in to anti-social or criminal behaviour, including gang involvement and association with organised crime groups
- is concerned about their drug or alcohol use
- is at risk of modern slavery, trafficking or exploitation
- is in a family circumstance that presents challenges for the student such as substance use, mental health problems or domestic abuse
- has returned home to their family from care
- is showing early signs of abuse and/or neglect
- is at risk of being radicalised or exploited
We believe that early interventions for children or families, in many cases, will prevent young people from experiencing harm. At all times, staff are directed to consider if there is any offer of Early Help we can make in order to help a student. We also liaise with other agencies and people within the local community.
Although King Edward’s is based in Dudley, we recognise we have a number of students who live in a different locality; therefore, we always conduct research to find the most appropriate agency to signpost them to.
Early Help and Support for Families
Staffordshire Family Support and Outreach Service
Worcestershire Children First Early Help Family Support Service
Links to organisations who can support with a range of issues including bullying, drug use, mental health and exploitation:
Mental Health Support