“Wellbeing and happiness really are priorities at the school. [My daughter] knows who she can talk to if there's a problem and she is being taught how to look after her own wellbeing, which is great and something I never got at school! It’s great that she knows it is ok not to be ok.”Mrs B, Parent
Happiness
We strongly believe that happiness and emotional wellbeing should be valued and monitored, just as closely as academic success. As such, we’ve created a termly Happiness Survey to generate a happiness score for each child, which we then track to monitor each pupil’s happiness in both the short and long term.
Our Happiness Tracker allows us to proactively address any worries or concerns at whole school, year group or individual level. We are committed in our desire to ensure that all our pupils at Pennthorpe are happy, healthy and flourishing.
“I’ve worked in several schools and the approach to wellbeing and pastoral care at Pennthorpe is truly second to none.”Lydia Waller, Deputy Head at Pennthorpe
The Impact
of Prep School Pupils whose happiness is above average (as rated by our ‘Happiness Tracker’)
views of each issue of our ‘Pennthorpe Pulse’, on average
of staff who said they enjoy coming to work at Pennthorpe (according to our Welfare Survey)
pupils on average attend each ‘Hot Choc and Talk session’ with our Student Wellbeing Ambassadors
"I am so grateful for the love and support I get at Pennthorpe. It feels like home."Y7 pupil and future paleontologist
Wellbeing Week
Our bi-annual Wellbeing Week provides an opportunity for the whole school community (children, staff and parents) to join together and shine a spotlight on the importance of wellbeing and mental health. Looking after our own mental health and wellbeing, as well as that of the children in our care, has never been more crucial.
Tea and Talk
In 2020’s Wellbeing Week we had several ‘Tea and Talk’ sessions for parents, and an evening talk from a visiting integrative psychotherapist Caroline Southerden. Following these sessions, we were inundated with requests for the materials to be shared. In light of this, we have put together a series of brochures that cover the key messages and themes from all of the talks that took place (see below).
These brochures provide parents with some useful information and food for thought as they navigate the ups and downs of being a parent.
Girls on Board
As we all know, happier girls do better. At Pennthorpe we use the ‘Girls on Board’ approach, to empower girls to navigate the choppy waters of friendships for themselves. This approach puts the onus on the girls themselves, to consider their role in the dynamic of a friendship fall out, and to realise that falling out at this age is completely normal and not something to be scared of. The ‘Parents Guide to Girls on Board’ Booklet can be accessed here.
“The Tea and Talk sessions are fabulous. It’s great to be able to learn about ways we can help our children stay happy and positive. It’s also good to talk to other parents about things as you don’t feel so alone.”Mr R, Parent
“Good wellbeing on leaving school has a much greater impact on life outcomes than exam success.”Sarah Brennan, Chief Executive of YoungMinds
Wellbeing Resources
A selection of useful wellbeing resources can be downloaded below.
