New College Worcester (NCW) is proud to announce that it has achieved the Wellbeing Award for Schools (WAS).
This nationally recognised award reflects NCW’s commitment to placing emotional wellbeing and mental health at the heart of school life and recognises the work taking place across the college to create a positive, inclusive and supportive environment for pupils, staff, families and the wider school community.
Developed in partnership with the National Children’s Bureau, the Wellbeing Award for Schools supports schools in embedding a whole-school approach to mental health and wellbeing. The evidence-based framework encourages schools to review existing provision, gather feedback from stakeholders, strengthen support systems and demonstrate the impact of their wellbeing initiatives over time.
As part of the accreditation process, NCW undertook a comprehensive review of its wellbeing provision, engaging with students, staff, parents, carers and governors to better understand their experiences and identify opportunities for further development. The process celebrated the many strengths already embedded within the college while helping to shape future priorities around pupil voice, staff wellbeing, training, communication and access to support.
The independent verification report praised NCW’s approach, noting that:
“A clear, sustainable, long-term strategy has been established to support the emotional wellbeing and mental health of the whole-college community.”
The report also highlighted the collaborative nature of the award journey, recognising that:
“Students, staff, parents, carers, governors and external partners have all contributed to the developments achieved through the award.”
Verifier Therese Hoyle identified a number of strengths across the college community, describing NCW as providing:
“Outstanding specialist provision for students who are vision impaired or severely vision impaired, including those with additional and complex needs.”
The report also commended NCW’s nurturing environment, stating that the college offers:
“A highly nurturing, inclusive and student-centred environment in which emotional wellbeing and mental health are recognised as fundamental to learning, independence and preparation for adulthood.”
A particular strength highlighted during the verification was the culture of positive relationships across the college. Following a tour of NCW, the report noted that students appeared “comfortable, engaged and confident in approaching staff” and praised the new sensory and wellbeing room, describing it as “a particularly valuable addition” that has already become a popular resource for students.
The report also recognised the impact of NCW’s pastoral support and student-centred approach. Students spoke positively about the support available to them, with one student describing NCW as:
“The best school ever.”
The verifier noted that students feel there is “always someone to talk to in school”, reflecting the strength of relationships and pastoral care throughout the college.
Parents and carers also praised the support and communication they receive, describing NCW as a “unique and life-changing setting”. The report highlighted the significant improvements in communication between school and home, with families feeling informed, listened to and reassured by the joined-up approach between education, residential provision and pastoral teams.
Staff wellbeing was recognised as another key strength. The report highlighted NCW’s extensive wellbeing initiatives, professional development opportunities and supportive culture, noting that wellbeing is “now more consistently recognised, discussed and supported” across the organisation.
The verification report concluded that the Wellbeing Award for Schools has had a “significant and positive impact across New College Worcester” and that wellbeing is now “firmly embedded within the college’s culture, strategic planning, policies and everyday practice.”
In recommending NCW for the award, Therese Hoyle said:
Reflecting on the outcome, NCW is incredibly proud of the collective effort that has made this achievement possible. The award not only celebrates the work already taking place across the college, but also reinforces NCW’s commitment to continuous improvement, ensuring that wellbeing remains central to the experiences of students, families and staff for years to come.
About the Wellbeing Award for Schools
The Wellbeing Award for Schools supports educational settings in promoting and protecting emotional wellbeing and mental health across the whole-school community. The award framework encourages schools to develop a shared vision for wellbeing, gather stakeholder feedback, review existing provision, implement targeted actions and demonstrate measurable impact. Its goal is to ensure that wellbeing is embedded within everyday school life and remains a key priority for pupils, staff and families.
