Mental health and wellbeing support

Over the past year, schools have amplified their commitment to improving the mental health and wellbeing of their pupils. A number of schools have developed this work into partnership programmes, ensuring more young people can access this valuable support.

Malvern St James Girls’School set up the Wellbeing Collective as an opportunity to meet with educational pastoral leads in Worcestershire, Gloucestershire and Herefordshire and to share good practice in student wellbeing and mental health. At the launch in 2019, eight local schools welcomed the opportunity to discuss their experiences. Just two years later, Malvern St James has received gold level accreditation from the Carnegie Institute of Mental Health and Wellbeing, and involvement has grown to 24 educational establishments, representing both the state and independent sectors at prep and secondary school and higher education levels. The Wellbeing Collective provides invaluable links for those in charge of pupil welfare. Termly sessions feature an introductory talk focusing on one area of wellbeing, delivered by an expert in that field. Topics thus far have included self-harm, bereavement, community during coronavirus, working with families, building resilience and staff mental health and wellbeing.

This summer, University College School Hampstead launched The Conversation, an education conference planned and delivered by teachers from UCS, Westminster Academy, UCL Academy and the London Academy of Excellence, Stratford. The inaugural event focused on wellbeing and mental health, with staff from all four schools delivering seminars, workshops and talks on aspects of pastoral care. Talks were also delivered by renowned speaker Hayley Mulenda and Tulip Siddiq, local MP and shadow minister for children and early years. The event was free to attend online, with teachers tuning in from across the capital.

As part of its ongoing efforts to be outward looking and community minded, Bradfield College has collaborated with Oppidan Education to develop EMBRACE, a peer mentoring programme. Year 12 students at the school are trained to provide weekly mentoring for Year 6 pupils at youth centres and local primary schools, with sessions focusing on pastoral topics including wellbeing, friendships, life hacks and organisation skills. The programme is mutually beneficial – it encourages the sixth form pupils to build their confidence and leadership skills, while helping the younger pupils to develop resilience.