10 Top Wellbeing Initiatives in Education

What are the best wellbeing innovations that you’ve seen or experienced in schools?

This is a question often raised on the Boarding Schools'​ Association (BSA) Mental Health and Wellbeing Certificate that I lead, and I’ve heard some brilliant suggestions. To give you an idea of the range of innovations I’ve come across in my research, here are just a few:

International:
Melbourne Girls Grammar -  has a dedicated wellbeing centre (the Artemis centre) with a team of dedicated wellbeing coaches, a wellbeing curriculum, as well as fitness coaches and modern sports facilities.
Aiglon College - offers Sophrology sessions for students to help them deal with stress and anxiety, and boost feelings of relaxation and confidence for daily life.
Surval Montreux - introduced a new wellbeing survey system (Govox) to gauge levels of happiness throughout term time.

UK:
Sherborne Girls - introduces Sleep Week once every half term to allow students a later start in the mornings, to allow for catching up on sleep.
The Royal Ballet School - has trained Education and Wellbeing Coaches on staff, who have introduced a technique using the emotion wheel for students to indicate how they’re feeling before bedtime so staff can check in with those who need extra support at this time.
Milton Abbey School - offered a series of wellbeing talks to staff and students focusing on how to feel calm, focused, maintain stamina and sleep well.
Kimbolton School - the Chaplain stands outside the exam hall and offers calming and confidence-boosting exercises with students before exams.
Canford School - has a Sleep Programme led throughout the boarding houses which includes lessons on sleep hygiene, tools to help with sleep and low lighting before bedtime.

Uppingham - a coaching culture has been created across the school and practised by tutors and in the boarding houses - helps to empower pupils to make their own decisions and understand how values impact their daily lives in the choices they make.
St John’s School, Cambridge - has teachers trained in mindfulness so students receive a practice at the start of lessons and throughout the day to help them feel calm and focused after busy break times.

Which other schools are offering great and innovative practices on the wellbeing front?

I know there are many more great intiatives going on out there and I'd love to hear your ideas and suggestions. Please get in touch to share any more.