Why do teenagers and children self-harm? 
The reasons children and teenagers self-harm will be different for everyone. They might not be able to name any one reason they’re self-harming. 

Self‑harm is usually a way for young people to cope with difficult feelings, memories, or situations. With understanding, compassion, and the right support, recovery is possible.  
 

Signs of self-harm in children and teenagers 
Self-harm is when someone hurts themselves on purpose as a way of expressing or relieving distress, overwhelming emotions, or fear.

It can be hard to recognise the signs of self-harm in children and teenagers, but it’s important to trust your instincts if you’re worried something’s wrong. 
 

Some common forms of self-harm include:  

• Cutting themselves. 
• Burning their skin.  
• Scratching or biting themselves. 
• Hitting themselves or walls. 
   

But self-harm isn’t always visible. It can also include taking part in risky or harmful behaviours, such as:  

• Using drugs or alcohol to cope with problems. 
• Unsafe sexual behaviour. 
• Disordered eating, such as under- or over-eating. 
• Excessive exercising. 
• Doing dangerous things / acting in a reckless or unsafe way
   

It can be hard to see self‑harm, especially since many people try to hide it. If you’re concerned, here are common signs to watch for: 

• Unexplained cuts, bites, burns, bruises, bald patches. 
• Always keeping themselves fully covered, for example, wearing long sleeves or trousers even during hot weather or avoiding activities such as swimming.  
• Signs of depression, anxiety or mood swings.   
• Withdrawing from friends or family.  
• Expressing low self-esteem, for example, saying they’re not good enough. 
   

Things to do to help:

• showing them you’re there whenever and however they choose to talk 
• listening and not asking too many questions about why they've self-harmed, which may make them feel judged 
• letting them know that you care about them and want to help them find healthier ways to cope 
• reassuring them it’s OK to be honest with you about what they’re going through.  
• focus on what's causing the self-harm - remember, an underlying problem often causes self-harm. It can be more helpful to focus on what’s causing their feelings rather than on the self-harm itself. 
• Encourage them to find healthy ways to cope e.g. paint, draw or scribble in red ink, deep breathing or going for a walk 
• Help them to build their confidence.  Many children who self-harm suffer from low self-esteem or confidence.  

Remind them about the things they do well. Try to focus on things about their personality rather than things like their academic achievements or sporting abilities. 

• Encourage them to try something new e.g. drawing, music, exercise 
   

Below are some useful websites for tips and advice: 

https://www.nspcc.org.uk/advice-for-families/self-harm/

https://www.barnardos.org.uk/get-support/support-for-parents-and-carers/self-harm-children-young-people#signs

Advice for children can be found via Childline: https://www.childline.org.uk/info-advice/your-feelings/self-harm/self-harm-coping-techniques/ 

The Easter Music Concert took place on 23 March in Warwick Hall and it was a celebration of music from around the world. The orchestra performed ‘Juba Dance’ by Florence Price with great flair, while our newly established Percussion Ensemble presented a piece inspired by Zimbabwean music. The Dynamo Strings’ performance of ‘Venezia’ was full of energy and showcased one of our most diverse groups in terms of ability and experience.

Our smaller ensembles brought flavours of music from Spain, the Philippines, Brazil, and America. The boys in the jazz and rock bands never fail to impress with their flair and talent, performing well-known classics with a fusion twist for this concert. Special mention must also go to All Stars for their showstopping entrance to ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’, which was a highlight of the evening.

Bletchley Park is a very famous place, and we were excited to visit it. One of the most interesting things we learnt was that the first computer was made there. It was one of the most amazing facts we discovered during our trip.

When we arrived, we took part in an activity where there was a map on a screen. We had to decode six different messages to create a master plan. One of the instructions we had to follow was, “find a clear path.” This activity helped us understand what it might have been like working at Bletchley Park during the war.

We also had a guided tour, where some of us got to play different characters. This was super fun and made the experience feel more real. After that, we had some free time to explore the site. We visited the AI area, where there was a screen that asked us to say three sentences. Then it played our voices back using AI, making it sound like we were speaking in different countries such as China and Germany.

Another interesting part of the visit was learning about the secrecy of Bletchley Park. There were small telephones we could use to listen to what people who worked there had said. At the time, most people did not know what was happening there. However, people who lived nearby thought something strange was going on because there were army vehicles coming in and out, and guards were watching the gates day and night.

We also learnt that two people died trying to save a Morse code book so that Bletchley Park could continue to decode messages. The book is still kept there today.

During our visit, we were given a clipboard with a top-secret booklet. It contained questions and challenges that we had to complete in different areas around Bletchley Park, which made exploring even more exciting.

Our highlights of the day were visiting Hut 6, where people used to translate and write Morse-coded messages, and learning about the history and story of Bletchley Park.

Overall, it was an absolute privilege to visit, and we would 100% recommend it!

By Austin J and Louie B, 6RS

 

It has been a wonderfully varied and uplifting week here in the Junior School as we approach the end of term. 

Our week began on a musical high, with the Junior Foundation Orchestra spending much of Monday rehearsing for the Warwick Foundation Concert, which I look forward to attending this evening. This event offers a fantastic opportunity for our boys to make music alongside pupils from across the Foundation, and we are proud of the commitment they have shown. It has also been a significant week for many of our young musicians who have undertaken their music exams. Congratulations to all those who stepped forward with such confidence, and we eagerly await your results. 

It was equally busy in the games department, with hockey, football and rugby fixtures taking place across the school. We send our very best wishes to the Year 6 boys competing today in the Midlands Hockey Finals and the ISFA National Football qualifiers. 

On Tuesday, Year 5 enjoyed glorious weather for their visit to the Botanical Gardens. The boy represented the school superbly, embracing the learning opportunities and making the most of a rewarding day out. 

As some of you will have seen in our recent Inspection Report, pupil voice and leadership play a vital role in school life. With this in mind, it was a pleasure to attend the School Council meeting this week. Expertly chaired by our Year 6 representatives, and supported by Ms Sayers and Mrs Robertson, the boys led thoughtful discussions which included the opportunity to pose questions and suggestions to members of our catering team.  Ideas discussed ranged from homework and food waste to themed days, Link events with the Prep School, and even suggestions about classroom decor. Their conduct and maturity were a real credit to them, and we look forward to seeing the continued impact of their contributions. 

This evening, our thanks go to the PAWS volunteers for organising a very popular Film Night for our Year 5 and 6 boys. It will provide a wonderful chance for them to unwind and enjoy time with friends at the end of such a full and energetic week. 

I look forward to welcoming many of you to our Spring Concert on Monday evening. In the meantime, I wish you all a restful and enjoyable weekend. 

John Bond 

Representatives from the Year 5 and Year 6 School Council, alongside members of the Year 6 Sustainability Team, recently took part in an important initiative to measure food waste in the school canteen. The project aimed to raise awareness about the growing issue of food waste and encourage more responsible habits within the school community.

Food waste is a significant global problem. When food is thrown away, not only are the resources used to produce it—such as water, energy, and labour—wasted, but it also contributes to environmental damage. Decomposing food in landfill sites produces methane, a powerful greenhouse gas that accelerates climate change. At the same time, millions of people around the world face food insecurity, making the issue of waste even more pressing.

During lunchtime, the students carefully collected and measured leftover food. The results were striking! Over 15 kilograms of food waste was recorded from the Junior School sitting alone. This powerful finding highlighted just how much food is being discarded in a single day and reinforced the importance of taking action.

To build on this initiative, the School Council will be launching a House Art Poster Competition. The competition will encourage pupils to create persuasive posters that inspire others to reduce food waste. The message is simple but important — every small action counts, and together, we can make a difference.

Thank you to our School Council for raising awareness and helping the school community work towards a more sustainable future, reminding everyone that even small changes in daily habits can have a meaningful impact.