GOLD STANDARD WELLBEING SUPPORT FOR GIRLS
St Swithun ’ s Positive Education programme is boosting it ' s girls self-belief both in – and out of – the classroom
EDUCATION
It must have been a joyful sight . The whole of St Swithun ’ s School , every one of its pupils and teachers , gathered outside on the expansive lawn , singing the words to ' Blame It On The Boogie ' at maximum volume , gleefully throwing themselves around in a dance routine they had learned together earlier in the day . Here they were , letting their hair down , not worrying about whether they were getting it right or doing it well – but simply having a huge amount of fun together .
“ It was wonderful !” reflects Graham Yates , pastoral deputy head of St Swithun ’ s , the well-established girls ’ independent school in Winchester . “ Being in the moment , allowing yourself to get lost in whatever you are doing , is incredibly good for you , but it is increasingly hard to achieve . We are so easily deflected these days , especially by technology . We frequently multitask , and each time our phone pings we reach for it instantly .”
The concept of ‘ experiencing flow ’ is one part of the school ’ s unique Positive Education programme , which focuses on character development , wellbeing , and physical and mental health . It has been running for five years , led by the school ’ s own clinical psychologist , Dr Helen O ’ Connor , with Graham alongside .
Graham attributes its success largely to two key factors . “ Rather than being bolted on to the school day or popping up as occasional spotlights through special events , our programme is totally infused within the curriculum ,” he explains . “ All staff have been trained in the principles of Positive Education , so it is a part of the fabric of the school .”
Positivity , optimism and resilience are key focuses , which in turn have a significant impact on enhancing academic and co-curricular studies . “ Each pupil at St Swithun ’ s brings her own talents and character strengths ,” Graham says , “ and we celebrate the diversity this brings to our community . Through our approach to wellbeing , we ensure every pupil has the opportunity to flourish and to believe they are capable of high performance .”
The Positive Education programme sits powerfully alongside that ethos , reinforcing self-belief and giving pupils the strategies to be mentally strong . “ We teach pupils to manage negative thoughts , to develop self-esteem and to see failure as a key part of the learning process ,” Graham says . “ We help them to identify their individual strengths , because if they don ’ t know what they are , how can they call upon them when they are faced with a challenge ?”
The school has introduced a Wellbeing Hub , an online portal where parents , pupils , and staff can access a wealth of resources and advice , as well as creating their own strategies for self-care . “ Parents find it very reassuring to work alongside the school and to know how best to support their daughters at home ,” Graham says .
This year St Swithun ’ s joined over 1,000 schools to participate in the School Mental Health Awards , run by the Carnegie Centre of Excellence for Mental Health in Schools .
In recognition of its significant commitment to mental health and wellbeing , the school was awarded the gold standard , the highest level .
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