This guest blog from Stonewall discusses why it’s important that schools have a particular focus on LGBT pupils’ mental health and wellbeing, and the role governors can play in ensuring this happens. In the context of the Coronavirus pandemic, schools and colleges have had to find new ways of…
Wellbeing has been a big issue in schools for a long time, and rightly so. But the events of 2020 have put mental health and wellbeing at the forefront in schools, with lockdown, grief, uncertainty, and changes to our way of life all taking a toll on…
Governors have a strategic role, so they’re crucial in helping a school focus on mental health and wellbeing when it really matters. While governors can’t offer hands-on support, the governing board can make sure there are structures in place so that children’s and staff’s mental…
Link governors for wellbeing – or wellbeing governors – are the dedicated point of contact on a school governing board about mental health and wellbeing provision.  While it’s not a statutory role, many schools recognise the importance of having link governors for wellbeing,…
It’s hard to imagine a time when mental health and wellbeing has been more important in schools.  This September, we’re launching a year-long campaign to showcase the importance of having link governors for wellbeing on every school board. Now more than ever, schools need a dedicated…
You don’t need to be a mental health professional to make mental health a priority in schools.  The effects of lockdown on both children and school staff aren’t fully known, but we do know that when all children return to school, supporting their mental health after…
The Mental Health Foundation’s Mental Health Awareness week runs from 18th – 24th May and this year’s theme is ‘Kindness’. We couldn’t imagine the situation we’d be living through when these dates were announced months ago. The severity of global events, not only Covid-19 itself, but the measures…
This year, Children’s Mental Health Week runs from the 3rd – 9th February. It’s a great opportunity to refocus on one of the reasons many people decide to become governors – to help the next generation of young people to be happy, healthy and well prepared for…
Concerns over childhood obesity are never far from the headlines. Pupils today experience increasing stress in school from a number of sources – with exams being just one factor. As governors, what part do we play in this? While there isn’t just one simple solution, the School Sport and…
How can schools support mental health in children – and why is it so important? Hope Virgo is a leading advocate for people with eating disorders, having battled against anorexia. In this guest blog, she shares her story, and explains how schools can support children in looking after their mental…