We are delighted to announce that Framlingham College has won the 2024 School House Awards for Mind and Mental Health Champion.
Hosted by Country & Town House magazine, the School House Awards showcase and celebrate independent schools across the UK.
A statement from School House reads: “With so much to applaud, at School House, we are delighted to celebrate also some of the less tangible benefits that independent schools are developing. We want to cheer on those schools getting it right in terms of pastoral care, mental health support, environmental awareness, those with local partnerships, and those who have really gone beyond the standard charitable work.
“Last year we had more than 100 entries; the winning schools ranged from country preps to city senior schools. This year sees two new categories: Alumnae Relationships Champion and Social Mobility Champion, and we are delighted that the latter award is sponsored by Christ’s Hospital School.”
Framlingham College was named a finalist for the Mind and Mental Health award alongside Eton House The Manor, London, and Berkhamsted School, Hertfordshire, but it was the judges’ notable acknowledgement of our mental health awareness weeks at key points across the academic year – such as the start of a new term and exam season – alongside our pupil led Wellbeing book and In Conversation Podcast Series, that led to the College being awarded the top spot.
This year’s judging panel included School House editor, Victoria Lambert; Director and Founder of Child in Time, Chloe Billington; Telegraph journalist and broadcaster, Anna Heseltine; and County & Town House editor-in-chief, Lucy Cleland.
Writing in the October Scholarships, Bursaries and Champions issue, School House editor Victoria Lambert said: “This issue is very special to us as it plays host to the winners of our School House Awards. As ever, we have been inundated with entries for our categories which focus on what schools are doing for mental health, happiness and satisfaction inside the gates.
“[For the Mind and Mental Health category] Eaton House The Manor, Framlingham College, Suffolk, and Berkhamsted School were our three finalists. The judges were impressed with all the schools’ approach to mental health, but Framlingham came out on top. The school has Wellbeing Ambassadors and a specific Wellbeing Prefect, plus a resident clinical psychologist who offers drop-in sessions for pupils and staff every week. Its latest scheme – a Wellbeing podcast – has proved hugely popular. The judges noted the three mental health awareness focused weeks per year during important times such as exam season or the start of a new term.”
Wellbeing Prefect, Mimi B, said: “It is an amazing achievement to receive this award. We are very fortunate to have such outstanding pastoral care at the school which is constantly improving. As a pupil body, we are a community that supports and encourages one another. This award just highlights that, and the family that Framlingham College is.
“Looking ahead at the 24/25 academic year, my goal is to build on the already strong foundation of wellbeing at Framlingham, with an emphasis on making the podcasts more pupil led and informative. I would also like to make the Wellbeing Ambassador programme house–led and enhance our already strong pupils voice by showcasing all we do at Framlingham with engaging social media and traditional print campaigns.”
Deputy Head Pastoral, Oliver Lloyd, said: “I’m really pleased Framlingham College has been named the winner of this prestigious award. We have worked very hard to improve our pupils’ wellbeing and mental health and their general attitude towards it, so this suggests that we have been successful in some way, but there is always more to do.
“Promoting positive wellbeing across the school is essential to ensure young people have the tool kit to successfully navigate their teenage years. With so much research on the teenage brain and its state of flux and growth in adolescence, we need to constantly give them practical advice on how to look after themselves and each other.
“Pupils can get support through our pastoral system, from their HM to the medical centre and the Chaplain to their tutor and teachers. On top of this, we have a dedicated peer support system in place with our Wellbeing Ambassadors openly promoting positive wellbeing through our podcast series, through social media to reach our young people directly and through the booklet they have produced and distributed. We also celebrate various mental health days, and every year we look at new ways of reaching our pupils and encouraging their voice to be heard around these issues. We also have a data driven approach to ensure that no one is missed.”
READ: The full article online with the School House magazine e-edition.
