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.
Sacha Clark-Scrickel, lead occupational therapist, and a pupil during a specialist session using the school’s OT swing
Winner of an award by the Independent Schools Association
Pupils and staff at Slindon College recently celebrated a win in the Independent Schools Association’s (ISA) 2024 Awards. This win has reflected the impact of several outstanding initiatives focused on well-being that the school’s experienced and committed teachers 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.”
What is Learning Energy?
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 well-being.
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 too high or low. Pupils are encouraged to easily communicate how they are feeling and nurture themselves to make healthy choices.
Sacha Clark-Scrickel, lead occupational therapist at Slindon College, 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.”
Pupils at Slindon College have all had the opportunity to contribute to the development of this initiative. Comments from pupils included: “It helps keep us on track of how we react.”
Headteacher Sotiria Vlahodimou and pupils celebrating Slindon College’s win in the Independent Schools Association (ISA) Award for Excellence and Innovation in Mental Health and Wellbeing 2024
Mental Fitness team
Slindon College also has its own Mental Fitness team, led by Adam Sharpe, school Assistant Head (Pastoral). This consolidates the provision of unwavering support for pupils’ emotional security, confidence and overall mental health.
Adam Sharpe said: “We work hard to put effective and well-researched initiatives in place to support all our pupils to look after their mental health and well-being. It is fantastic for pupils, parents and staff here at Slindon College to see this national recognition.”
The Slindon College Mental Fitness Team run a range of initiatives such as weekly Woodland Walks, and a ‘time to talk’ programme. Specialist Learning Support Assistants are on hand to support pupils and individual pupil meetings and daily interventions provide personalised and effective pupil support.
‘Thrilled to receive the ISA award’
Sotiria Vlahodimou, headteacher at Slindon College, said: “We are thrilled to receive the ISA award which gives recognition for our team of the simply outstanding mental health and well-being support we provide for our pupils.
“As a purposefully small school, this award is all the more meaningful to our talented, passionate and hardworking team. Every pupil at Slindon College is valued for who they are; each pupil is encouraged to develop their talents and the College supports them to achieve their personal best.
“I am very proud of Slindon College and it is a great privilege to nurture our pupils and lead such an outstanding team.”
Learn more and register for an Open Morning
To find out more about Slindon College and register for our next Open Morning, visit www.slindoncollege.co.uk.
