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19 April 2021
A Gravesham school has achieved the School Mental Health Award which is delivered by the Carnegie Centre of Excellence for Mental Health in Schools. Cobham Hall School was awarded a Silver standard for its outstanding mental health and wellbeing provision.
Cobham Hall provides a wide range of activities to boost the wellbeing of pupils and staff, including a dedicated Wellbeing Centre full of resources and activities, a dedicated Mental Health and Wellbeing Lead, access to independent listeners, training for students to support their peers as either Wellbeing or AntiBullying Ambassadors, and a therapy dog.
The school has also provided a wealth of support mechanisms for parents, staff and students. These include guides for parents to help their teenage daughters with such issues as friendships, for example. Regular contact with parents to enable them to navigate the online world through individual support and signposting through a dedicated area on the school website. Furthermore, our Mental Health and Wellbeing Lead has set up a regional network for schools to share best practice.
Cobham Hall’s head teacher, Mrs Wendy Barrett said: “I am extremely proud of the students and staff. This award re-establishes Cobham Hall as a leader in mental health and wellbeing. The process of obtaining this award has provided the platform for further discussion and debate whilst promoting the creation of effective policies and procedures that improve provision for all.”
A focal point of the school’s mental health and wellbeing provision is to give our students strength by teaching them the skills they need to live positive and fulfilled lives. We value their mental health as equally important as their physical health and our curriculum reflects that philosophy.
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.
The Carnegie Centre of Excellence for Mental Health in Schools aims to strengthen pupils’ mental health by supporting schools to make a positive change at all levels of the UK’s education system, improving students’ outcomes and life chances.
Professor Damien Page, Dean of Leeds Beckett’s Carnegie School of Education, said: “Achieving this award is not just recognition of a whole-school approach to mental health, it’s a recognition of the school’s commitment to improving the life chances of children.
“We’re truly proud to have worked with Cobham Hall in this vital work and look forward to further collaboration.”
Nationally, more than 800 schools have signed up to take part in the mental health award.
Dean Johnstone, founder and CEO of Minds Ahead said: “This award shines a light on the excellent work schools are doing to promote mental health for their community of children and adults.
“It is thrilling and humbling to learn about Cobham Hall and the many other schools engaged in the quality award process. I’d like to offer my congratulations on this deserved recognition.”
