For Schools
Support for students when they need it most.
Our counsellors work directly in schools to provide safe, confidential support so pupils can focus and flourish.
Why Partner with Us
Why Partner
with Us
For over four decades, Valley Trust has worked alongside schools across Surrey to deliver professional counselling support. We understand the pressures schools face and the barriers to learning that children bring into the classroom. Our counsellors help remove those barriers, so children are calmer, happier, and more able to thrive.
When you work with Valley Trust, you’re choosing:
Accredited professionals
all our counsellors are members of, or working towards membership with, leading professional bodies such as the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy), NCS (National Counselling Society), and UKCP (UK Council for Psychotherapy). This ensures the highest professional and ethical standards.
However, we only recruit those that are accredited or eligible to apply for accreditation by their professional body – this ensures the highest professional and ethical standards. Accreditation is a rigorous assessment process and is the gold standard when engaging a practitioner.
Safeguarding you can rely on
robust policies, clinical supervision, and compliance frameworks ensure pupil safety at every stage.
A network of support
with Valley Trust, you’re not hiring an individual counsellor in isolation; you’re joining a well-established organisation with systems, supervision, and governance behind every placement.
From a lesson perspective , counselling has markedly impacted B’s experience in a positive manner. Their attendance has improved as they developed the capacity to re-regulate and tolerate stressful environments, reducing the need to leave lessons. This enhanced self-regulation has significantly improved their ability to cope with change and perceived adversity within the school setting. Moreover, Bs willingness to engage in useful discourse has become a strength, notably in their ability to verbalise their needs to teachers, and the frequency of their visible distress and breakdowns has decreased considerably. I have no doubt that without counselling, this student would have ended up in a school refusing situation.
A teacher’s perspective
Services Offered
Professional, school-based counselling services
Our core service is one-to-one counselling, delivered on school premises by qualified professionals. This gives pupils a safe, confidential space within the school day to, build coping strategies, and restore focus for learning. Our counsellors work with students whose situations and behaviour are complex, yet not visible enough for external services such as CAMHS. This situation is called those in the “missing middle”:
The “fine” student who isn’t fine – they turn up, they don’t disrupt and they might even perform well in exams but you can see the crushing weight of anxiety, panic attacks or OCD eating away at them just below the surface.
The chronically absent – the students whose attendance is plummeting because school avoidance, deep depression or neurodiversity makes getting through the school day feel impossible.
The slow burn behaviour issues – those who exhibit low level constant defiance, emotional outbursts or extreme withdrawal. They aren’t unsafe but their emotional dysregulation makes learning impossible.
The “missing middle” leaves staff are holding the weight of students that cannot access the right level of care.
Individual counselling sessions
tailored to each student’s needs, usually taking place weekly during the school term.
Referral and review process
schools can identify students who would benefit; counsellors work in partnership with staff while maintaining confidentiality.
Flexible provision
services can be tailored to your school’s capacity, timetable, and budget.
Individual counselling sessions
tailored to each student’s needs, usually taking place weekly during the school term.
Referral and review process
schools can identify students who would benefit; counsellors work in partnership with staff while maintaining confidentiality.
Barriers to Learning Supported
Helping students
overcome the
challenges that
hold them back
Students bring a wide range of emotional and social challenges into the classroom. Left unaddressed, these issues can undermine confidence, behaviour, attendance, and academic progress.
Valley Trust counsellors help children work through difficulties including:
Anxiety and stress
Low self-esteem or self-worth
Family problems and separation
Friendship issues and bullying
Bereavement and loss
Coping with academic pressure
By addressing these barriers, schools see improvements in:
Classroom behaviour and focus
Attendance and engagement
Emotional regulation and resilience
Relationships with peers and staff
Bruce Pearce Fund
(Apply for Funding)
Helping schools
extend their support
The Bruce Pearce Fund, created in memory of our founder, provides grants of £500–£1,000 to schools already working with Valley Trust. These awards support wellbeing projects that go beyond standard counselling provision – such as peer mentoring, student workshops, or extended support for individual students.
To be considered for this Award schools will need to:
Open to schools using Valley Trust counselling services
Project must demonstrate a clear wellbeing impact
Applications accepted year-round
Awarded schools receive a certificate recognising their commitment to pupil emotional health – something to proudly share with governors, parents, and Ofsted.
Let’s talk about supporting your school
If you’d like to explore counselling provision for your pupils, or have questions about the Bruce Pearce Fund, please complete the enquiry form below. A member of our team will be in touch promptly.