King’s St Alban’s recognised for Outstanding Mental Health provision
King’s St Alban’s is delighted to have been recognised for its “outstanding mental health and wellbeing provision.” King’s St Alban’s Prep School places a great emphasis on pastoral care and the children’s social and emotional development so receiving the Wellbeing Award for Schools (WAS) in partnership with the National Children’s Bureau is a huge testament our provision.
The Wellbeing Award for Schools, a National Standard for Positive Mental Health and Emotional Wellbeing has been developed by the National Children’s Bureau in conjunction with Optimus Education to recognise the outstanding work taking place within school communities across England to promote mental health and wellbeing. The award is based upon research by Professor Kathy Weare who looked at how promoting social and emotional well-being and responding to mental health problems impacts pupils in schools.
Visiting the school earlier this term, Therese Hoyle, Optimus Education Wellbeing Award for Schools Adviser spent the day immersed in life at King’s St Alban’s. Therese was particularly impressed with the schools ‘Making KSA Smile’ initiative which was spearheaded by Deputy Head, Mrs Lisa Kilbey as a response to meet the needs of children. The initiative provides a solid base of wellbeing principles to meet the needs of not only the pupils at King’s St Alban’s but also the staff and parents. The whole school ethos provides children with a tool kit with which to identify and support positive emotional health. The objectives for the initiative include:
- Pupils wellbeing embedded across the curriculum
- Pupil Voice and Wellbeing
- Creating an ethos that promotes respect and values diversity
Therese commented “A clear and enriching whole school approach and long-term strategy – ‘Making KSA Smile”, has been developed in relation to supporting the emotional wellbeing and mental health of the school community. This is the best Wellbeing Strategy that I have seen in my 6 years of being an Advisor with Optimus Education.”
Headmaster, Mr Richard Chapman added “This is an incredible achievement for King’s St Alban’s, recognising the emphasis that we place on pupil wellbeing. It truly is at the heart of everything that we do.”