“promoting physical and mental health in schools creates a virtuous circle reinforcing children’s attainment and achievement that in turn improves their wellbeing, enabling children to thrive and achieve their full potential.”
(Chief Medical Officer’s annual report 2012: Our Children Deserve Better: Prevention Pays)
Now, more than ever, as a group of schools, we strive to ensure that the wellbeing of every member of our school communities is reflected in all our schools’ priorities and across the collaborative as a whole.
In our schools, the issue of wellbeing has always been at the forefront of our thinking and our actions. The whole nature of our collaborative was founded on the desire to provide support and guidance to each other as a group of schools and professionals; for pupils and families; for teachers; for all support staff; for Governors; for leaders.
Head Teacher Wellbeing is one of our guiding principles within our constitution. We meet regularly and allow time for professional and social conversation. We run Network meetings for our Senior Leaders, our School Business Managers, our Learning Mentors and our SENDCos: giving time to share ideas and best practice and seek advice and support from colleagues. Our Teachers and Support Staff have access to a wide range of professional development opportunities where, again, they can share resources and strategies to lighten their workload.
In addition, every individual school has its own methods to promote staff wellbeing. Some examples are ‘Room Service’ goody bags; staff room treats; lessons being covered by senior staff to provide additional release time; Friday Breakfast Briefing for Staff Voice; celebrate national teacher and TA days with cards and gifts; counselling support for staff who need it and targeted CPD heavily invested in to support staff to do their jobs as well as they can, with a focus on wellbeing and mental health training regularly on the agenda.
Wellbeing Award: a great success for Central Collaborative
To promote Wellbeing even further, many of our schools have participated in the ‘Wellbeing Award for Schools’.
The award focuses on ensuring effective practice and provision is in place that promotes the emotional wellbeing and mental health of both staff and pupils. The focus of the award is on changing the long-term culture of a school, and embedding an ethos where mental health is regarded as the responsibility of all.
With this award, schools can demonstrate their commitment to:
- Promoting mental health as part of every day school life
- Improving the emotional wellbeing of their staff and pupils
- Ensuring mental health problems are identified early and appropriate support provided
- Offering provision and interventions that matches the needs of its pupils and staff
- Raising awareness of the importance of mental health awareness
- Capturing the views of parents, pupils and teachers on mental health issues
