Mr Anthony Simpson, Principal of Erskine Stewart Melville, said:
“Achieving the Gold Carnegie Award is a tremendous recognition of our school’s unwavering commitment to mental health and wellbeing. This process has been invaluable in helping us reflect on our own practice, enabling us to identify strengths and areas for growth. The award has provided us with a robust roadmap to guide and inspire our future efforts in creating a supportive and nurturing environment for all. I would like to thank our incredible staff who work tirelessly to create a supportive, inclusive environment for our students. I’d also like to thank Dr Susan Woodshore who has done an amazing job working with a small staff team, to capture all that goes on across Erskine Stewart Melville.”
The rigorous Gold Award assessment required Erskine Stewart Melville to demonstrate exceptional performance across eight key areas, from leadership and organisational culture to engagement with parents and external stakeholders. The recognition also highlights our dedication to using evidence-based approaches, fostering collaboration, and continuously improving its mental health provision. Some of the wellbeing initiatives happening across the school include:
- Leadership in Wellbeing: Our Wellbeing Policy Committee, led by staff, governors, and external experts, guides our strategic decisions on mental health and helps to embed mental health into the school’s culture. We are grateful to have our Governor, Professor Linda Bauld, a respected national expert on health and wellbeing playing an active role on this committee.
- Support for Staff and Students: We employ Wellbeing Support Assistants across all age levels to provide early interventions and emotional support. Additionally, the school partners with Place2Be to offer counselling and mental health services for students and staff.
- Peer Support: Our S5 Mental Health Ambassadors and Junior School Peer Support students are trained to support the mental health of their peers and promote positive mental health culture across the school.
- Staff Training: All staff receive mental health training tailored to their roles, including workshops on trauma-informed practice, resilience, and neurodiversity. Policies like the Employee Wellbeing and Stress Management policies ensure staff wellbeing plays a central role.
- A Community Approach: Our school community helps to guide our approach including our Parents Supporting Neurodiversity group. Beyond the school gates, we host an annual Wellbeing Conference, attended by educators from across Scotland, sharing best practices and fostering collaboration on mental health strategies
The Award is a fantastic achievement for the school, but it is just the beginning of our ongoing journey to enhance mental health provision. Our future plans include expanding and integrating training for all staff, developing our role in the local community, and the development of new Wellbeing Hubs.
