WELLBEING
“We are actively engaging in how they are learning and why they are doing something in a particular way,” adds Jo Sale at Impington Village and International College. “It’s something that needs careful planning so it’s not about value judgements but a more positive way of helping pupils to develop and grow.” And, as Dani Creese at The Perse points out, there is always a balance to be struck between support and challenge. “We aspire to support pupils to develop a sense of meaning, purpose and belonging. This includes exposure to challenges and being pushed outside their comfort zones, while utilising appropriate scaffolding measures to support them. “It can be easy for adults who see a child struggling to take over in removing the problem, but it’s important that children are encouraged and supported to solve problems or seek support for themselves and build resilience through the process. We adopt this approach with
LIFTING SPIRITS Framlingham College (above) has a comprehensive pastoral care strategy
8AKP Therapeutic Consultants 8akp.com Cambridgeshire, Peterborough and South Lincolnshire Mind cpslmind.org.uk Centre 33 centre33.org.uk Local mental health support
The school now provides a timetabled 45-minute wellbeing period, where pupils can choose an activity such as walking, sleeping, playing sport or simply chatting with friends. A particular emphasis is being placed on self-care, which the school says has been highly successful. Involving parents and carers is an increasingly important part of schools’ wellbeing programmes. Impington Village and International College and Stephen Perse Cambridge are two of those that run events such as workshops and webinars designed to help families navigate aspects of what can be a complex and sometimes challenging area. There is also a growing emphasis on listening to the pupil voice, from asking for suggestions on wellbeing-focused events to encouraging students to reflect on the learning process.
Mothering Minds motheringminds.uk
health and wellbeing for our young people and it takes a great deal of care, thought and trust.” While schools are facing tremendous pressures from every direction – academic, financial and philosophical – they also continue to occupy an increasingly important and influential place in children’s lives, not just while they’re at school but decades after they’ve left. As a result, making the experience as positive and happy as possible has to be worth every single penny they invest.
It’s vital that children are encouraged and supported to solve problems or seek support for themselves
CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK OCTOBER 2025 59
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