Why allyance?

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Ally Brennan, a specialist teacher, worked at Comberton Village College in 2009 and was always a key figure within the extended schools partnership out of which the counselling project grew, Ally was enthusiastic and passionate about this work. She passed away in February 2012 and it is in her honour that the project has been named allyance.

allyance has been in existence since April 2009 following a consultation with headteachers across 27 schools in the CABMAG (Comberton, Bassingbourn, Melbourn and Gamlingay) area. The overwhelming outcome was the lack of provision to support children experiencing difficult life events. These schools decided to pool resources and use Government Funding (Extended Schools) to establish an in-school counselling service. This funding came to an end in December 2011. Having helped many children and their families, as many schools found this to be an invaluable service it was decided that a new working model should be developed. The new model for schools is explained elsewhere in the website. (See schools' info).

During the intervening years allyance has been a constant support for our schools, regardless of the national picture.

The Children's Society stated in 2008 that:

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The findings of the Good Childhood Inquiry an independent report indicated a rise over the last 20 years of children suffering from mental illness.

In 2022 the Children's Society stated that:

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The findings from the Good Childhood Report which shows the latest trends in children's wellbeing found that school, friendships and appearance continue to cause the greatest dissatisfaction in adolescence. This year's report focuses on schools as vital settings that influence children's wellbeing. The findings show feeling listened to in school was strongly associated with children's overall happiness at school.

Our experience shows us that intervention work at an early stage helps prevent the escalation of some of these young people's difficulties and improves their learning outcomes. We have always strongly believed that providing experienced, fully qualified counsellors used to working within school settings has been our strength.