Chandlings school near Oxford given award for wellbeing focus

Chandlings Prep School near Oxford has received a National Wellbeing Award for Schools, which are given out by Optimus Education in partnership with the National Bureau of Children.

Christine Cook, head of Chandlings, said: "Wellbeing is integral to the school and we will continue to promote positive mental health so that our children leave us as confident and happy individuals ready to take on any challenges.

"This award has been a really positive process and has ensured that we have embedded an ethos where mental health and emotional wellbeing is regarded as the responsibility of all."

The independent school near Boars Hill teaches children aged two-11.

It has brought in initiatives such as the 'wellbeing knight,' which focuses on six areas including relationships and learning, and a 'kindness board.'

It has also introduced a mindfulness club and yoga clubs after school, open to both staff and pupils, and there is a 'friendship hut' in the playground where children can make friendship bracelets together.

A wide variety of parent and staff talks have also been held, addressing topics such as risk and resilience, online safety and inspiring confidence.

A team of staff wellbeing ambassadors have also been appointed to drive positive wellbeing across the whole school community.

The inspector's report said the school's commitment to wellbeing has been 'implemented with meticulous

thought and focused strategy.'

The report added: "Pupils speak of staff with great warmth and affection. Pupils tell me that Chandlings is a happy school.

"Parents said that staff know the children well and they respond to them as individuals. They really think about what is best for that child."

Emily Brawn, head of girls and leader of wellbeing at the school, said: "We want to create a whole school feeling where we can talk about problems openly.

"Our mission is to continue to promote resilience and positive wellbeing for all our pupils and staff."