Outwood Grange Academies Trust has launched a new mental wellbeing strategy focussed on ensuring that all students, and staff, are fully supported.

The strategy will help create a supportive, non-judgemental culture within the Outwood family based on comprehensive education, training and support to raise awareness of the issue of mental wellbeing. 

The aim is to equip children, students and staff with the relevant knowledge to support mental wellbeing.

Julie Slater, Chief Executive (Secondary) at Outwood, said: “At Outwood we are committed to taking a whole-trust approach to mental wellbeing. That is really what this strategy is all about; ensuring every member of the Outwood family is supported to lead a life that is happy, healthy and safe.

“To do this we want to create communities within our academies that understand that mental wellbeing is a priority for all of us. In doing this, we believe we can help children and students to flourish, learn and succeed by providing opportunities for them, and the adults around them, to develop strengths and coping skills that underpin resilience.” 

The strategy will consist of five strands:

1. Openness & Awareness; creating a culture of mental wellbeing where it is okay to talk about how we feel.

2. Student Curriculum; Outwood’s rich and diverse curriculum and enrichment offer will aid student’s character development.

3. Staff Training &  Development; Comprehensive staff training and development programmes will be made available to all staff.

4. Inclusion & Diversity; Recognising that some groups may face more challenges, we will focus on ensuring these groups receive the full support they need.

5. Suicide Safer Communities;  As a leading cause of death among young people, suicide awareness will be a shared priority across the Trust.