Porthcawl Comprehensive School celebrated for prioritising pupils’ mental health

Porthcawl Comprehensive School has claimed the Carnegie Centre of Excellence for Mental Health in Schools Gold Award for its outstanding wellbeing provision.

The much-coveted award, recognised UK wide, was established several years ago through a collaboration between the Carnegie Centre of Excellence for Mental Health in Schools, part of Leeds Beckett University, and social enterprise, Minds Ahead.

Demonstrating a whole-school approach to supporting the mental health of staff and pupils, Porthcawl Comprehensive School was assessed against eight competencies, ranging from leadership and strategy, support for pupils and staff, to working with external services.

Kath Owens, Assistant Headteacher: Director of Planning and Communication, has led the initiative and has highlighted some of the successful strategies that have been implemented within the school.  She said: “'The Flourish Project', 'The Valleys Steps Programme' and 'SHINE Exam Stress Support' are all programmes that have equipped pupils with strategies to develop resilience and to approach challenges with enhanced confidence." 

The school also has a wellbeing ambassadors programme which is in its fourth year, with designated wellbeing ambassadors trained in mental health and wellbeing.  The ambassadors have undertaken an array of projects, including those involved with fundraising, developing awareness of mental health, and establishing ‘Wellbeing Wednesday’ for Year 7 pupils at lunchtime.

Ms Owens said: "We are exceptionally proud of the work of our wellbeing ambassadors and their commitment to promoting positive mental wellbeing across the school and in the wider community."

 One pupil said: "As a Porthcawl Comprehensive School wellbeing ambassador, I have been provided with a valuable insight into mental health and how to help those who are struggling.  Many opportunities have arisen, and I now have skills useful for life. I have achieved personal growth whilst knowing that I have had a positive impact within the community, getting a sense of fulfilment from helping those who are struggling."

Headteacher, Mr Mike Stephens, said: “Mental health and wellbeing are at the heart of Porthcawl Comprehensive School.  We value emotional health and caring for one another as much as academic success, and this award has helped us to shape and move forward our school improvement priorities linked to wellbeing. 

“We have a strong commitment to making mental health a strategic priority and developing a culture that promotes mental wellbeing for everyone.  Mental health and wellbeing are strong features within our School Improvement Plan, and I am proud to say we have an outstanding ‘whole-school approach’ involving pupils, staff, governors, and several professional partners.  We hold this award for three years, and we will continue to develop all that we do to support mental health and wellbeing for everyone within our school community.”

Councillor Martyn Jones, Cabinet Member for Education and Youth Services, said: “Congratulations to Porthcawl Comprehensive School!  

“It’s very clear that mental health and wellbeing are positioned at the heart of the school and it’s wonderful that this has been recognised by the receipt of the Carnegie Centre of Excellence for Mental Health in Schools Gold Award.

“The local authority recognises the direct link between positive mental health in schools and successful educational outcomes, and Porthcawl Comprehensive School is evidently securing the best results possible, on an academic and personal level, for its pupils.

“I am looking forward to seeing how the school’s mental health support strategies will continue to grow, shape and develop. Once again, well done all!”

Image: Headteacher, Mike Stephens (far right), with staff and pupils from Porthcawl Comprehensive School with the Carnegie Centre of Excellence for Mental Health in Schools Gold Award.