Earlier this week, Westholme launched its new wellbeing strategy with parents. Centred on enabling human flourishing through a dedicated Character Education framework, the strategy aims to give our students the understanding, support and good habits needed to thrive now and in later life.

The launch of the strategy also coincides with the recent publication of Exploring Mental Health in Education, a textbook drawing on diverse perspectives from educators, policymakers, researchers and healthcare professionals to reconsider mental wellbeing in educational contexts.

Our Principal, Mr Paul Taylor, has co-written a chapter of the book, ‘Leadership for Mental Health’, alongside leadership coach and ex-Premier League referee Matt Messias, who will be familiar to many of you as a past Guest Speaker at Prizegiving.

The chapter considers the challenges faced by young people today, including new technologies, social media and the impact of pandemic restrictions, all contributing factors towards a significant rise in anxiety and depression over the last 15 years.

At Westholme, we consider wellbeing to be profoundly shaped by leadership decisions and institutional cultures, hence the prominence of the new person-centred wellbeing strategy.