Case Study: Embedding a Whole School Approach to Emotional and Mental Wellbeing

The Challenge: The Welsh Government introduced a framework for Emotional and Mental
Wellbeing in 2021, requiring every school to adopt a whole school approach to reduce socio-
economic inequalities and improve student mental health. However, schools faced many
organisational challenges such as day-to-day pressures, limited guidance, and a lack of change
management knowledge and skill. These whole school challenges were also contributing to poor
teacher well-being and staff attrition.

The Approach: To tackle these challenges, a programme was designed and facilitated by Perform
and Grow business psychologist and Founder, Sally Evans in partnership with Kate Williams,
Caterpillar Business Psychologist and Michael Baker, TheTBC. The programme aimed to support
schools in developing an understanding of emotional and mental well-being, create a support
network by geographic cluster, create an effective and sustainable approach to whole school
wellbeing and be skilled to evaluate the effects and success of the programme. Participants were
upskilled to develop an evidence-based best-practice programme of change to support a whole
school approach to wellbeing. The approach was built upon Positive Psychology, Organisational
Development, and Behavioural Change models.
The programme was delivered to over 125 participants, representing 120 schools across two Local
Authorities through 2022 and 2023.

Impact: The impact of the programme was significant:

1. 100% Whole-School Approach: Results showed that 100% of schools in one local authority
   (LA) had created and adopted a whole-school approach to well-being, meeting the Welsh
   Government’s framework requirements. Schools in another Local Authority reported 90%
   preparedness for addressing the challenge of creating a whole school approach to wellbeing.
2. School Wellbeing Charter: Several schools created a Staff Wellbeing Charter, emphasising
   their commitment to the school team well-being.
3. Healthy Schools Award: Another school achieved the highest award from Healthy Schools,
   recognising their exemplary approach to well-being.
4. Educator Empowerment: Over 125 educators participated in the programme, and they
   reported feeling empowered and better equipped to create and implement change in their
   schools.
5. Community Engagement: Community stakeholders visited the programme to share and
   explore available resources and funding, highlighting the importance of co-constructing
   change and providing hope.
6. Bespoke Wellbeing Plans: Participants developed bespoke Whole School Plans, aligning
   evidence of need with their chosen wellbeing interventions.
7. Behavioural Change: The programme was designed to enable Educators to support staff,
   families, and pupils in developing enhanced psychological and emotional well-being, using
   models of behavioural change and stress interventions. Evaluation evidence has been
   provided of the significant impact this programme has had on participants wellbeing as well
   as the longer term impact on school teams and families through the implementation of
   school plans for wellbeing.

Conclusion: The programme successfully addressed the challenge of implementing a whole school
approach to emotional and mental wellbeing in Welsh schools. By providing knowledge, skills, and
building confidence through an enhanced and localised support network, the programme
empowered educators to create change in their schools, resulting in 100% compliance with the
Welsh Government’s framework and notable improvements in well-being across multiple schools.

This case study demonstrates the positive impact of a well-designed and comprehensive psychology
programme in the field of education and highlights the potential for replicating such approaches in
other regions.