At The Latymer School, we are deeply committed to fostering a culture of positive emotional wellbeing and mental wellness among our students and staff. We believe that promoting good mental health is essential to ensuring that every student feels content and secure within themselves, allowing them to truly flourish during their time with us. By cultivating emotional wellbeing, we enable our students to navigate life’s challenges, achieve their academic and personal potential, and contribute meaningfully to both the school and the wider community.

Whole-school approach

Our whole-school approach to emotional wellbeing involves every member of our school community, including students, parents, teachers, and support staff, in actively contributing to a supportive and inclusive environment. By prioritising mental health, we establish a foundation where effective teaching and learning can thrive, and each individual feels they belong and are valued. This strategic leadership across the school creates supportive systems, ensuring that practical strategies for emotional health become part of our everyday practices.

Pastoral programme

Our pastoral programme is integral to supporting the emotional and social development of our students. It includes:

• Whole school assemblies: These assemblies are designed to bring the entire school community together to discuss key themes related to emotional wellbeing, celebrate achievements, and reinforce our school values.
• Year assemblies: Tailored to the specific needs and experiences of each year group, these assemblies provide an opportunity to address age-relevant topics and support students in their personal development journey.
• Form time activities: Daily form time activities are structured to build relationships, promote self-awareness, and support students in managing their emotions. These activities are led by form tutors who play a key role in the pastoral care of students.

Pastoral support team

Our dedicated pastoral support team includes:

• Heads of Learning and Assistant Heads of Learning: these leaders coordinate pastoral care within their respective year groups, ensuring that all students receive the support they need.
• Pastoral Support Officers: they provide targeted support and guidance to students, working closely with families and external agencies when necessary.
• Form Tutors: as the first point of contact for students, form tutors offer daily support and guidance, playing a crucial role in fostering positive relationships and monitoring student wellbeing.
• School Counsellors: our two experienced school counsellors offer professional mental health support to students who need it, providing a safe and confidential space for students to explore their feelings and concerns.

Partnerships and support

We work in partnership with our local community and health services to provide robust support for our students when needed, creating clear pathways to access mental health services. These partnerships ensure that our students have access to the necessary resources and support, enhancing their ability to manage their emotional wellbeing effectively.

Curriculum and early intervention

Building resilience and strengthening emotional wellbeing are crucial to supporting our young people in realising their potential. Early intervention is key, and we focus on identifying potential issues early on and providing preventative support. Through personal, social, and health education (PSHE) and relationships and sex education (RSE), our curriculum is designed to give students the tools they need to build resilience, manage their emotions, and develop essential life skills.

These lessons, embedded throughout the curriculum, allow our students to engage with topics around mental health, safety, and wellbeing in a structured, supportive manner, helping to normalise conversations about mental health and reduce stigma.

Developing social and emotional skills

Social and emotional skills, such as resilience, self-awareness, and relationship-building, are vital life skills that enhance our students’ academic performance and motivation. These skills are taught and reinforced in various ways, from high-quality lessons to targeted programmes and interventions. We are committed to equipping our students with the coping strategies needed to thrive both academically and personally, ensuring that their time at The Latymer School is marked not only by achievement but also by a strong foundation for lifelong wellbeing.

Through this comprehensive approach to emotional wellbeing, the Latymer School aims to support every student in becoming a well-rounded individual, prepared to face the future with confidence and resilience.

OUR Vision Statement: empowered to thrive

Our school is committed to providing a healthy and caring environment that promotes and supports positive mental health for our students, staff, and parents/carers. Recognising the profound link between emotional wellbeing, progress, and attainment, we are dedicated to fostering an environment where every member of our community feels supported, valued, and empowered.

By considering student and staff wellbeing in all aspects of school life, we create a positive, healthy environment that enhances student engagement, performance, and achievement, enabling everyone to develop and reach their full potential.

We embrace a whole-school approach, ensuring excellent support, understanding, and intervention for all individuals to maintain their positive wellbeing and mental health.

• Promoting awareness: mental health is a visible and integral part of daily school life, with everyone understanding its importance.
• Early intervention: we proactively identify and address mental health issues, providing timely and appropriate support.
• Inclusive support: our initiatives meet the diverse needs of our community, ensuring access to necessary resources and interventions.
• Building resilience: we help our students understand their emotions, build self-esteem, develop resilience, and navigate challenges.
• Engaging the community: we actively involve parents, pupils, and staff in open conversations about emotional wellbeing, fostering a culture of transparency and mutual support.

By embedding these principles in our policies, practices, and daily interactions, we ensure that emotional wellbeing and mental health remain at the core of our school's mission and values. Our commitment guarantees that every member of our community feels supported, valued, and empowered to thrive.

Wellbeing Award for Schools - accreditation achieved (June 2025)

We are proud to announce that The Latymer School has successfully achieved accreditation for the Wellbeing Award for Schools, developed by Optimus Education in partnership with the National Children’s Bureau (NCB). This award recognises the significant work we have undertaken to support the emotional wellbeing and mental health of our entire school community.

The accreditation process was both rigorous and rewarding. It involved a thorough evaluation of our policies, practices, and provision for wellbeing, including feedback from students, staff, and parents. We were assessed against eight key objectives (see below), which covered our strategic commitment to wellbeing, the promotion of positive mental health, and the quality of our pastoral and curricular support.

Emotional wellbeing is the foundation for learning and growth, and we remain dedicated to nurturing a safe, supportive, and thriving environment. It also reflects the dedication of our staff, the strength of our school culture, and the passion and care shown by our students.

Alongside the strong systems already in place, including the caring relationships that underpin our daily practice and the proactive role students play in supporting one another, we are committed to further developing and improving our support strategies to meet the evolving needs of our community.

Feedback from the verification process praised our inclusive and proactive approach to emotional wellbeing and mental health. Staff were commended for their genuine care and concern for both students and colleagues, and for fostering a culture where wellbeing is openly discussed and actively supported across the school.

Highlights from our Wellbeing Award Accreditation

• Wellbeing is embedded in school policies, curriculum materials, and strategic planning, with Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health (EWMH) a standing item on SLT, Heads of Learning, and governors’ meeting agendas.
• The school has two in-house counsellors, two qualified mental health first aiders, and all full-time staff have received mental health training.
• Student and staff wellbeing ambassadors play an active role in promoting mental health, delivering assemblies, mentoring younger pupils, and running drop-in sessions.
• Pupils can report concerns anonymously via Whisper, and wellbeing issues are monitored through MyConcern and flagged on SIMS.
• We work closely with external providers such as My Young Mind Enfield and Kooth, offering workshops, seminars, and 1:1 support.
• Staff wellbeing is supported through a newly introduced Staff Wellbeing Policy, which includes optional wellbeing targets in appraisals, buddy systems for new staff, and a variety of wellbeing initiatives such as Fun Fridays, Pilates, crafting, music lessons, and regular opportunities for staff to provide feedback.
• Our school environment includes dedicated counselling spaces, wellbeing displays, and areas for time-out and pastoral support.
• Parents report excellent communication and support from the pastoral team, and appreciate the signposting to local services and wellbeing activities.
• Students say they feel well-supported, with clear information on how to access help and increased opportunities to talk about wellbeing.
• Feedback from stakeholders directly informed our action planning, including the development of a confidentiality charter and plans for online wellbeing seminars.
• The school is committed to continuous improvement, with clear next steps identified to enhance staff access to key information and consistency in wellbeing initiatives.
• Our portfolio was described as “exemplary” by the verifier, showcasing our strategic approach and deep reflection on strengths and areas for development.

The Wellbeing Award for Schools focuses on eight key objectives:

• The school is committed to promoting and protecting positive emotional wellbeing and mental health by achieving the Wellbeing Award for Schools.
• The school has a clear vision and strategy for promoting and protecting emotional wellbeing and mental health which is communicated to all involved with the school.
• The school has a positive culture which regards emotional wellbeing and mental health as the responsibility of all.
• The school actively promotes staff emotional wellbeing and mental health.
• The school prioritises professional learning and staff development on emotional wellbeing and mental health.
• The school understands the different types of emotional and mental health needs across the school and has systems in place to respond appropriately.
• The school actively seeks the ongoing participation of the whole-school community in its approach to emotional wellbeing and mental health.
• The school works in partnership with other schools, agencies and available specialist services to support emotional wellbeing and mental health.