Walford's Network of Care

Image courtesy of Adelady and Andrew Beveridge (absCreative)

At Walford, student wellbeing is at the heart of everything we do. Pastoral care is part of how we know, support and educate each student, and is inseparable from learning. When students feel safe, supported and well, they are better able to learn with confidence. 

Our counselling team plays an essential role in this work, providing professional, compassionate support within a connected ecosystem of care in which each student is known, heard and responded to with thoughtfulness. Our School counsellors provide a safe, calm, and confidential space where students can talk, reflect, reset, and develop strategies to navigate some of the challenges that commonly occur during childhood and adolescence. For some students, this may mean support with friendship difficulties, family change, anxiety, or feelings of overwhelm. For others, it involves managing academic pressure, strengthening emotional regulation, developing healthy coping strategies, or regaining a sense of steadiness during a difficult period.  

Walford’s counselling support is proactive as well as responsive. Our counsellors contribute to preventative wellbeing education that helps students build compassion, courage, kindness, respect, resilience, self-understanding and self-compassion. In this way, counselling equips students with the skills and judgement to navigate relationships wisely, make sound decisions, and thrive at school and in life. 

Counselling at Walford sits within a connected pastoral network. Our counsellors work closely with teachers, Mentors, Heads of House, Assistant Heads of School, Heads of School, Health Centre staff, and Boarding House staff. This shared approach allows concerns to be noticed early, and support shaped around each student’s individual needs, strengths and stage of development. 

We also recognise the vital role that parents and caregivers play in a young person’s wellbeing. Our counsellors work in partnership with families, co-designing strategies and keeping parents informed and involved in decisions about support and care, always in ways that respect student confidentiality. This may include working collaboratively with families with the student’s knowledge and consent, or when it is in the best interests of the student’s wellbeing and safety. At every stage, our aim is to ensure that the student’s voice and wellbeing remain at the centre of decision-making. 

At Walford, excellence in pastoral care is seen in the quality of relationships, the professionalism of support, and the shared commitment to ensuring that no student navigates challenges alone. By working together, we can identify concerns early, provide the right support at the right time, and strengthen the circle of care around each student so she feels a sense of connection to the significant people in her life, and of belonging here at Walford. 

Meet our Counsellors

Ali Trewartha 

Ali brings a wealth of experience in education and student wellbeing. After 10 years working as an educator specialising in Health and Physical Education, she completed a degree in Psychology in 2025 and now supports students through counselling at Walford. 

She is passionate about helping young people sit with emotional uncertainty, and supports them to navigate challenges while building resilience, self-efficacy, and an understanding of their own strengths. Using an educative approach, she empowers students to understand the psychological science underpinning emotions and development. 

Kelly Koufalas 

Kelly has more than 20 years of experience working in social work and counselling, bringing warmth, compassion, and a deep commitment to supporting young people to her role. She believes every student deserves to feel heard, valued, and supported, and her door is always open to students seeking a safe and welcoming space to talk. 

Kelly is passionate about helping students build emotional wellbeing, navigate friendships, manage stress, and develop the skills to thrive. 

Kelly Koufalas and Ali Trewartha