Excellence in Specialist Learning Support leads to National Title for Slindon College
Providing exceptional pastoral care is at the heart of life at Independent Boarding and Day school, Slindon College. The school provides a specialist learning environment for boys aged 8 – 18, set in the historic Slindon House in the South Downs National Park.
Pupils and staff at Slindon College celebrated a win in the Independent Schools Association’s (ISA) 2024 Awards. This win has reflected the impact of several outstanding wellbeing focused initiatives the experienced and committed teachers at the school have put in place.
When announcing Slindon College as the winner of the ISA’s Excellence and Innovation in Mental Health and Wellbeing Award, the ISA judges said: “Mental Health and Wellbeing is at the core of the school’s ethos. Slindon College have innovated with a new way of encouraging pupils to self-regulate and also self-calibrate their Learning Energy. This is an exciting scheme which deserves to enter the mainstream. Slindon College is at the forefront of excellence and innovation in promoting Mental Health and Wellbeing and is a sector leader.”
Learning Energy is a key new concept developed by the specialist Learning Support Team at Slindon College. Learning Energy encourages pupils to promote their self-regulation and wellbeing. The concept enables pupils to access strategies to support their learning and sense of feeling calm and comfortable within the classroom when their energy levels are either too high or low. Pupils are encouraged to easily communicate how they are feeling and nurture themselves to make healthy choices.
Lead Occupational Therapist at Slindon College, Sacha Clark said: “Learning Energy was developed as an adaptable self-regulation initiative, aiming to support pupils to have an awareness of their energy levels appropriate for their learning. It also encourages the pupils to access tools and strategies to shift their learning energy as needed and develop their sense of self.”
Slindon College also has its own Mental Fitness Team, led by school Assistant Head (Pastoral), Adam Sharpe. The team runs a range of initiatives including weekly Woodland Walks, a ‘time to talk’ programme and daily reflection time. Adam Sharpe said: “We work hard to put effective and well-researched initiatives in place to support all of our pupils. It is fantastic for pupils, parents and staff here at Slindon College to see this national recognition.”
The Slindon College Mental Fitness Headteacher at Slindon College, Sotiria Vlahodimou said: “We are thrilled to receive the ISA award which gives recognition for the simply outstanding mental health and wellbeing support we provide our pupils with. As a purposefully small school this award is all the more meaningful to our talented, passionate and hardworking team.”
To register for our next Open Morning on the 1st March 2025
www.slindoncollege.co.uk
