Wales High School's gold standard mental health provision sets new benchmark

Mindfulness and self esteem sessions were among the reasons why Wales High was given the accolade.

The school also has also raised awareness during PSHE (personal, social, health and economic) lessons, and signposted support for both staff and students on a daily basis through email bulletins.

Headteacher Pepe Di’Iasio said: “As a school we have always placed a high priority on the wellbeing of our staff and pupils, and this award has allowed us to evaluate and celebrate our whole school approach to wellbeing.

“We are looking forward to sharing these successes and good practice with others in the near future.”

A focal point of the provision is the mental health ambassadors scheme whereby students receive training on safeguarding and active listening, and then are paired up to support others with exam or friendship worries.

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Hannah Feerick, the school’s lead for wellbeing and personal development, said: “The process of applying for the award has been a great chance to embed even further our philosophy and culture around wellbeing working with staff, students and parents to listen and continually improve, and offer the best support and advice we can.”

The award was established in 2017 by the Carnegie Centre of Excellence for Mental Health in Schools part of Leeds Beckett University and social enterprise Minds Ahead.