Wellbeing Team
At Arco Academy, our dedicated team is here to support every aspect of our students' growth.
Meet the Wellbeing Team
Our Wellbeing Team is comprised of a range of professionals who work collaboratively to support our students' emotional and mental health:
- Therapists: Our Psychotherapist, Occupational Therapists (OT) and Speech and Language Therapists (SALT) provide tailored interventions to address students' developmental needs.
Therapists (ID 1296)
-
Claudia McGowanPsychotherapist
Claudia McGowan
Hello! I’m Claudia, an experienced mental health professional and clinical supervisor with a passion for enhancing the well-being of children and young people.
As an accredited member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), I adhere to high ethical standards while providing therapeutic support. My journey began with a Bachelor of Arts (First Class Honours) in Fine Art and History of Art from Goldsmiths University. It was there that I discovered the power of creative expression and its therapeutic potential. I later pursued a Master’s degree in Practice and Research Based Play and Creative Arts Therapy, gaining specialist skills to address the emotional and psychological needs of young people.
I have enriched my practice with further training in evidence-based therapeutic modalities, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR). I tailor my approach to suit each individual child, ensuring that their unique needs are met.
My professional experience spans various educational settings. I served as the Therapy Lead and then as Assistant Principal for Inclusion and Therapies at a large special education provision, where I successfully established a multidisciplinary therapy department. My focus on inclusion has helped create an outstanding therapeutic offer that ensured comprehensive support for all students. Before this, I worked as a Child Psychotherapist in mainstream school settings and provided essential support to children facing a diverse range of challenges. I also worked in the NHS where I spent seven years in two CAMHS teams, supporting children and adolescents experiencing complex mental health issues. I strongly believe that involving parents and caregivers in the therapeutic process, equips them with strategies that foster emotional resilience within family units. This has been a central part of my delivery, wherever I have practised.
My commitment to mental well-being is not limited to children and families. For several years, I have been training school teams and other professionals to improve their understanding of attachment theory and trauma-informed practices. I have also mentored and supervised postgraduate psychotherapy students during their clinical placements in schools. I am qualified to lead a number of whole school approaches including Emotion Coaching and Youth Mental Health First Aid where I am a certified trainer.
I have dedicated my professional life to the early identification of emotional difficulties, aiming to create supportive and inclusive environments where every student can thrive. I am particularly passionate about celebrating neurodiversity in society and in education. I believe that by embracing the individual strengths of the neurodivergent, we can deliver benefits for pupils and the wider community; it need not be a binary choice.
-
Louis PrimeOccupational Therapist
Louis Prime
-
Connor LangSpeech and Language Therapist
Connor Lang
- School Counsellor: Our School Counsellor offers one-on-one sessions to help students navigate personal and academic challenges.
School Counsellor (ID 1297)
-
Claudia McGowanSchool Counsellor
Claudia McGowan
- Mentors: Our Mentors guide students through their educational journey, offering both academic and personal support.
Mentors (ID 1298)
-
Reahana Kerry GordonMentor
Reahana Kerry Gordon
-
Davarel Vieira GordonMentor
Davarel Vieira Gordon
- Wellbeing Team: This team integrates various aspects of support into a cohesive plan, ensuring a holistic approach to student wellbeing.
Wellbeing Team (ID 1299)
-
Fisayo DacostaStaff Wellbeing Lead
Fisayo Dacosta
-
Sakeelah BanguraStudent Wellbeing Lead
Sakeelah Bangura
Hi My name Keelah I am the student wellbeing lead , I believe that a healthy, supportive environment allows students to thrive academically and personally. In this role, I take responsibility for ensuring that students feel heard, valued, and have access to the resources they need, whether that’s mental health services, stress management tools, or simply a safe space to talk. By advocating for their wellbeing and fostering a culture of openness and support, I aim to create an environment where students feel empowered to seek help and develop resilience. My commitment is to regularly assess the needs of the student body and collaborate with others to implement strategies that address those needs, ensuring everyone can flourish both emotionally and mentally.
A Hello from the Team
Hello from all of us at Arco Academy!
We are dedicated to ensuring each student feels supported and empowered. Whether through therapy, counselling, mentoring, or overall wellbeing initiatives, we are committed to helping our students thrive both inside and outside the classroom.
If you have any questions or need support, please feel free to reach out.