Kingsley School Devon Achieves National Wellbeing Award

Kingsley School is proud to announce that it has officially been awarded the prestigious Wellbeing Award for Schools (WAS), a nationally recognised accreditation, developed in partnership with the National Children’s Bureau, which affirms our commitment to emotional wellbeing and mental health across the whole school community. This significant achievement not only reflects our deep-rooted values and vision, but also marks a milestone in Kingsley's journey as a leader in holistic, student-centred education.

The Wellbeing Award for Schools is designed to help schools embed a whole-school culture where mental health and wellbeing sit at the heart of the educational experience. At Kingsley, this vision is already our reality.

Our ethos:

"Achieving success and happiness through positive mental health and wellbeing," 

has guided every layer of our strategy, from curriculum development and student voice to staff support and parent partnerships.

A Culture That Puts People First

The award verifier praised Kingsley for its exceptional dedication, stating:

"The school has fully embraced the award and has used it as a strategic development tool to enhance the ongoing approach, vision and central focus of the school."

This commitment is evident in every part of school life. Our values – Appreciate, Be Active, Connect, Give, Learn – are more than words; they are the framework by which we nurture growth, resilience, and community.

The report highlighted the strength of Kingsley's leadership, noting the clarity and ambition with which the wellbeing strategy has been implemented. From the creation of weekly pupil surveys to the development of a bespoke Wellbeing Centre, every initiative has been thoughtfully aligned with our overarching goal: to create a safe, supportive environment where all students and staff feel heard, valued, and empowered.

Key Highlights from the Verification Report

1. Student Voice and Empowerment

• Pupil surveys are in place to ensure students’ voices are heard and needs addressed.
• Student-led initiatives such as Wellbeing Dog Days and the growth of Wellbeing Ambassadors were recognised for enhancing student involvement.
• The creation of a Wellbeing Room/centre was highlighted as a strategic development to support student needs.

2. Staff Wellbeing and Development

• The school has used the TES Pulse staff survey to gather feedback and guide improvements in staff wellbeing.
• INSET sessions focused on mental health conditions and wellbeing have been implemented, along with access to the Health Assured programme.
• Staff appreciation efforts and wellbeing-focused CPD were cited as strengths.

3. Leadership and Strategic Planning

• The WAS framework has been actively used as an audit and strategic planning tool, reflected in the action plan and School Development Plan.
• The leadership team, including governors, have been engaged throughout, with regular reviews and a ringfenced budget for CPD in wellbeing.

4. Whole-School Ethos and Curriculum

• The values of Appreciate, Be Active, Connect, Give, and Learn are embedded across school systems.
• The expansive curriculum, including the Surf Academy, Earth Centre, and wide-ranging extracurricular opportunities, supports emotional and physical wellbeing.

5. Community Engagement

• Kingsley's inclusive approach includes strong stakeholder involvement and collaboration.
• Mechanisms such as newsletters, website resources, and parent portals enhance communication and transparency.
• The school’s work with external bodies and hosting of events like the SEND conference underline its outward-looking ethos.

Looking Ahead

This award may represent a moment of celebration, but at Kingsley, it is also a launchpad for continued growth. Plans are already underway to further develop the Wellbeing Centre, expand the student-led ambassador programme, and deepen staff training in emotional literacy and mental health response.

Headteacher Rob Pavis said: “The award has offered us the chance for the important validation of our work as well as a depth of understanding, reflection and an opportunity to use the process to identify development priorities. It’s about more than recognition – it’s about doing what’s right for our school community.”

At Kingsley, we believe that success and happiness go hand-in-hand, and that the wellbeing of every student and staff member is the foundation for a thriving, ambitious school. This award is both a celebration of what we have achieved together and a commitment to continue leading with empathy, courage, and care.

To find out more about Kingsley School and our approach to wellbeing, why not sign up for one of our Open Days: https://www.kingsleydevon.com/admissions/admissions-welcome