Pupils from Years 9 and 10 took part in an inspiring and informative training session delivered by the Mental Health Support Team (MHST), preparing them to become our new Wellbeing Champions at Pleckgate High School.
This new group of Champions will be stepping into the role previously held by our Year 11 pupils, who have now stepped down to focus on their upcoming GCSE examinations. The training provided pupils with a solid foundation in key areas of peer support and mental health awareness, helping them to understand both the responsibilities and the impact of their new roles.
During the session, pupils explored what it means to be a Wellbeing Champion and how they can actively support the mental health and wellbeing of their peers.
Key skills covered included active listening, the use of open-ended questions, paraphrasing, and encouraging positive change. The training also covered essential safeguarding principles such as confidentiality and understanding when and how to escalate concerns appropriately.
In the second part of the session, pupils collaborated and shared ideas on how they can contribute to whole-school wellbeing initiatives. Some of the creative suggestions included leading assemblies during key points of the school year, delivering workshops in partnership with other schools in the Education Partnership Trust (EPT), and running lunchtime drop-in sessions for pupils seeking support or a listening ear.
Moving forward, the new Wellbeing Champions will work closely with staff and Lisa Naylor from the MHST, who will provide ongoing support and supervision. Both the pupils and the staff team are enthusiastic about the role and the positive difference this group can make in creating a supportive and inclusive school environment.
