MAKING sure pupils can be themselves is the theme of a wellbeing awareness week at a county school.

John Kyrle High School in Ross-on-Wye is focusing on the wellbeing of their pupils and staff during Children's Mental Health Week next week.

The school is already one step ahead of the game as it has a dedicated centre called WyeLearn which provides a nurturing environment for students who find attendance in a mainstream class difficult - it can be for varying lengths of time.

But headteacher, Nigel Griffiths, wants to make sure both pupils and staff are aware of this service and that there is always someone to talk to if needs be.

He said: "Happy, healthy, successful is our mantra.

"The theme is Being Yourself. People trying to not be themselves makes them ill. We want people to be relaxed and who they are and express themselves in whatever way they want."

During the Wellbeing Awareness week Mr Griffiths will be taking assemblies with every year group.

A Year 11 pupil called Rose Brennan is also a Wellbeing Ambassador, one of 50 in the county. She will be speaking to the school's trustees during the week.

As a wellbeing ambassador, Rose helps improve access to psychological therapists. She said: "We try and work with schools and other charities and mental health providers to improve access to what they offer, and to help them realise what is going on in people's heads.

"It is getting better. There are still a lot of things we need to work on."

She said her school is brilliant at helping people.

At WyeLearn, which is a centre situated at the side of the school, pupils are fully supported by experienced staff, enabling them to access learning, academic, and social experiences similar to that of their peers in order to achieve their potential.

Trixie Clarke, director of student support and assistant headteacher said: "It's an inclusion area. It is an area where people go for extended support."

She added: "As soon as we hear or someone can alert us to someone struggling, we can sit down and have a discussion and help them in school or signpost them to a service outside of school."

There is also a wellbeing trustee on the board of trustees called Julie Markey.

To find out more about the week which runs from February 5 to 11 go to ChildrensMentalHealthWeek.org.uk