Solihull School has launched a ground-breaking partnership as part of a range of services aimed at providing high quality support to improve the mental health and wellbeing of its students.

In advance of Prime Minister Theresa May’s promise of educational reforms to tackle mental health problems earlier in childhood, Solihull School has established a unique partnership with the mental health charity Safeline.

Building on a number of measures already in place to support its pupils, aged from seven to 18, Solihull School has established a long-term partnership with Safeline to create a forward-thinking and innovative mental health and wellbeing strategy for everyone connected with the school.

The partnership will deliver a wide range of initiatives and headmaster David EJJ Lloyd believes Solihull School’s proactive approach to supporting its students will continue to foster a culture of openness.

Initiatives include the appointment of a professional support worker who will help develop and implement an effective mental health and wellbeing strategy and provide resilience training for staff, pupils, parents and governors – who include Professor Swaran Singh, Head of the Division of Mental Health and Wellbeing at the University of Warwick. 

There will also be a specialist counselling service to meet the specific needs of individual pupils and, where appropriate, teachers, parents and former pupils.

In working with an experienced charity such as Safeline, we will provide bespoke support for all of our students, continuing to place their wellbeing at the heart of the school’s priorities – David EJJ Lloyd, Headteacher of Solihull School

Mr Lloyd said: “This is a significant step for the school and one which is vital to ensure our students continue to receive a high level of support in all areas, while also creating a happy environment in which they can thrive.

“In working with an experienced charity such as Safeline, we will provide bespoke support for all of our students, continuing to place their wellbeing at the heart of the school’s priorities.” 

Solihull School already has 48 members of staff voluntarily taking part in a mental health first aid course which teaches staff how to identify and help a young person who may be developing a mental health issue.

To help GCSE and Sixth Form students deal with last year’s exam period, Solihull held a number of stress-relieving activities, including yoga, feel-good film showings and created a library of motivational videos.