Wellbeing in British boarding schools
Young people’s physical and mental health and wellbeing are in the spotlight a great deal at the best of times, perhaps never more so than at this time of year while they are sitting exams. With boarding schools being in loco parentis, the onus is on them to ensure their students are supported to stay healthy in every way and we have recently heard from several how they do this.
Earlier this week, work started on constructing a brand-new Wellness Centre at Harrogate Ladies’ College. Due to open in September, it will be the hub for a wide range of activities designed to enhance the all-round wellbeing of pupils. As well as a fully staffed Medical Centre, the new facility will offer activities such as mindfulness training; meditation and yoga; massage and reflexology; stress prevention and management, and nutritional advice.
Meanwhile, this spring’s edition of Millfield School’s online magazine The Windmill dedicates a double-page spread to its wellbeing provision. Outlining the school’s plans to further develop its existing programme, which includes two on-site counsellors, a sports psychologist and a nutritionist, the article explains how the school supports its pupils “to be self-aware and get out of their comfort zone.”
Finally, Felsted School recently opened its Wellbeing Centre, located at the heart of the school to provide a calming and relaxing place for people to take time out for short periods of the day. All pupils are introduced to the Centre through their PSHE lessons and activities associated with wellbeing, such as mindfulness, meditation, yoga and pilates. As one Year 12 pupil put it, “I understand the Wellbeing Centre is a place I can go to if I need some sanctuary and also that I can seek help if I feel I need it.”
This is just a quick round-up of examples of the type of provision the British boarding schools we know have in place, as we couldn’t recommend them if we weren’t sure they could care for the child(ren) we introduce. Please contact us to find out which might be right for yours.
Image courtesy of Felsted School
