Student Wellbeing

We are proud that our school places mental health and wellbeing as a priority in our school as we know that students are not able to reach their full potential unless they are mentally well and fit. We know that our excellent academic outcomes would not be possible to achieve unless students feel supported, cared for and have professionals they can talk to when they need extra help. 

Our school makes a direct link between good mental health and systems and processes in the school such as opportunities for students and staff to talk about how to improve their own wellbeing. Both students and staff have co-written wellbeing charters so that all decisions made in school have taken into account the impact on the community’s mental health and wellbeing. 

Our 5 small school system directly supports this work as all students are known and cared for by their smaller school and families have a direct point of contact if they have any queries or concerns.

Our work has been prestigiously recognised by the Carnegie Centre of Excellence for Mental Health in Schools and we were awarded Gold standard, which is the highest accolade for its outstanding mental health and wellbeing provision.

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.

Rachel C. Boyle, 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 and engaging with the wider community including staff and parents/carers.

We’re truly proud to have worked with Varndean School in this vital work and look forward to further collaboration.

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 Varndean School and the many other schools engaged in the quality award process. I’d like to offer my congratulations on this deserved recognition.