STUDENT WELLBEING
Our 2024 Annual Fund is all about improving the general health and happiness of Cherwell students.
Recent research has highlighted a deterioration in young people’s mental health. According to NHS data from 2022, 18% of 7-16 year olds have a mental health problem and many struggle to attend or engage at school. Children’s Mental Health Services are struggling to meet demand, and schools are crucial in delivering support on site where children are best placed to access it.
We are focusing on three main pillars of wellbeing which Friends of Cherwell fundraising can help: mental, physical, and material.
PILLAR ONE: PSYCHOLOGICAL AND EMOTIONAL WELLBEING
- More opportunities for team building, trips and projects. Socialisation is a key skill learned in the school setting.
- Increased specialist support. At Cherwell our mental health provision includes seven on-site counsellors who work with students 1:1, but we also support groups of students through specialist programmes.
EXTEND OUR WORK WITH AT THE BUS
We work in partnership with At The Bus who provide weekly Art Therapy sessions in small groups using a specially designed double-decker bus based on our South Site. This is a fabulous resource that reaches 50-60 students every term helping them with issues of anxiety, self esteem and self confidence in a safe, calm space outside of the classroom.
Students attend weekly sessions (1-2 hours) in small groups with trained facilitators who provide a nurturing environment where everyone is given the chance to express themselves. At The Bus has an enormous role to play in supporting our students and contributes to improved individual wellbeing, attendance and behaviour. As a result, At The Bus also has a positive effect on the wider school. This year we plan to add a new facility on our North Site will reach even more students.
PILLAR TWO: OUTDOOR SPACES AND ACTIVITIES
- Cherwell’s Young Ecologist team have worked with staff to develop plans for an Ecology Garden on South Site (next to the old Rugby Club building) that will increase wildlife and biodiversity and be used for both science lessons and student enjoyment and wellbeing.
- The garden will include a pond, fruit trees, growing area, bird boxes and bug houses and will be the first stage in a programme of developing green spaces for our students and to significantly enrich the biodiversity of the school site over the next 10 years. These spaces will also support our science curriculum and the new Natural History GCSE which we hope to be able to offer from 2025.
Access and connection to the outdoors is excellent for both mental and physical wellbeing; reducing stress and anxiety as well as improving energy levels, concentration and mood. We want to encourage life skills such as responsibility for maintaining gardens and the environment.
Cherwell School has been working with students on nature-supporting projects for over a decade and has made significant progress in creating more green spaces and improving biodiversity.
But we are motivated to do much more, knowing the health benefits to students of connecting with nature, and our school commitment to increase sustainability. We also know that ‘Climate Anxiety’ is a very real for many of our students, and school has an important role in educating and engaging young people with the natural world.
PILLAR THREE: IMPROVED FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT
- Specific equipment needed by subject eg. Science lab necessities and updated tools.
- Books and technology, applications and resources for wellbeing.
- Sports equipment to build drive and time management skills. Team sports also improve self confidence and social skills.
- Continued support for enhancements of the student toilet facilities.
- Art and Performing Arts workshops including trips and events.
