This interactive, evidence-based two-hour online workshop builds on our research on the whole school and college approach to mental health and our Governors' WSCA Guide, developed with governors and endorsed by NAGAS and Boards for Education. It covers what a whole school and college approach involves, where governance ends and delivery begins, and how boards can ask the right questions, set realistic priorities and track whether their whole school and college approach is working. You don't need to be a mental health expert to take part.
Detailed Description
DATE: Monday 21st June 2027
TIME: 4.00pm – 6.00pm (2 hours)
PRICE: £60 per person
Online via MS Teams
TARGETED AT: School and college governors, trustees and multi-academy trust board members, particularly those with a link role for wellbeing and mental health. Clerks and governance professionals are also welcome.
SPEAKERS: Dr Kathryn Lester, Associate Professor in Psychology, Professor Robin Banerjee, Professor of Developmental Psychology and Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Global and Civic Engagement, Becca Randell, Associate Director for Translational Research, Health Innovation Network
Every school and college in England is encouraged to take a whole school and college approach (WSCA) to mental health and wellbeing. Governing boards shape whether that happens in practice, because they set priorities and hold leaders to account. Yet we know from our research that there is wide variation in how well WSCA is understood and in how confident governors and trustees feel in overseeing it.
This interactive, evidence-based two-hour online workshop builds on our research on the whole school and college approach to mental health and our Governors' WSCA Guide, developed with governors and endorsed by NAGAS and Boards for Education. It covers what a whole school and college approach involves, where governance ends and delivery begins, and how boards can ask the right questions, set realistic priorities and track whether their whole school and college approach is working. You don't need to be a mental health expert to take part.
The workshop starts with what a whole school and college approach involves and why it matters for the things boards already care about, such as attendance, attainment and staff retention. It then turns to the governor role: making sure wellbeing is on the agenda, setting strategic direction and supporting school and college leaders to show what they're doing and whether it's working.
Participants will look at the questions boards can ask across the eight areas of WSCA, and how to turn what they find into two or three realistic priorities for the year ahead. We'll also look at how the free WSCA Measurement Toolkit can give boards a clearer picture of progress over time.
Through presentation, discussion and reflection, participants will:
- understand what a whole school and college approach involves and how it links to current Department for Education and Ofsted expectations
- be clearer about the difference between governance and delivery in mental health and wellbeing
- feel more confident asking questions that test whether the approach is working
- consider what evidence their board should expect from leaders, and how often
- leave with ideas for setting a small number of mental health and wellbeing priorities with their board
Participants will receive the Governors' WSCA Guide, the one-page WSCA infographic for sharing with their board, and a copy of the workshop slides.
We will email you the access link to this workshop, and instructions on how to join, few days before the workshop scheduled date. All attendees will receive a certificate of completion at the end of the workshop.
If you are booking for multiple attendees, or on behalf of someone else, please email us at socialchangehub@sussex.ac.uk to let us know the names of the attendees.
For enquiries, please contact us at socialchangehub@sussex.ac.uk.
By purchasing the ticket, you are agreeing to our terms and conditions and cancellation policy. Please read out terms and conditions and cancellation policy on Sussex Social Change Hub website.
