Haileybury festival puts focus on mental health

Dr Aric Sigman and MP Charles Walker to be keynote speakers at Haileybury's Festival of Wellbeing

Posted by Stephanie Broad | May 27, 2016 | Health & wellbeing

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• #mental-health
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• #independent-schools

Looking after children’s wellbeing and mental health in schools will be the focus of discussions as leading health and education experts come to Haileybury on Monday 27 June.  

Haileybury’s Festival of Wellbeing will see psychologist Dr Aric Sigman, MP Charles Walker and experts from national charity YoungMinds share their experience and advice with teachers. 

Held at Haileybury school near Hertford, the festival will cover topics such as social media, the latest national and local policy thinking, and issues affecting pre-teens and teenagers including alcohol and relationships.  

Edward Bond, Haileybury’s Director of Professional Development and festival organiser, said: “Ensuring our pupils receive the highest level and most appropriate type of pastoral care is embedded within the culture of Haileybury, and on a wider scale it is high up on the agenda for many other schools and teachers across the country.  

“All our staff are aware that the myriad of challenges facing young people today cannot always be solved. So our approach is to prepare and empower our pupils as best we can in identifying issues when they arise, and developing appropriate coping skills so that mental wellbeing can be achieved.  

“Young people cannot escape from the pressure to succeed, to fit in, to impress with mobile technology. The festival’s keynote speakers are going to consider many of these issues directly. There will also be a mix of chaired panel sessions and seminars and if required the option to complete a safeguarding course with Hertfordshire Safeguarding Children’s Board. 

“We hope that everyone will come away with valuable insights into the complex issues surrounding pupil wellbeing and practical strategies that they can use day to day.” 

Tickets are still available for the Festival of Wellbeing at £100 per person. This includes on-site parking and lunch in Haileybury’s historic Memorial Dining Hall. Tickets for the second and subsequent delegates from the same institution will be £50 each.  

www.haileybury.com/festivalofwellbeing