Wellbeing
Our award-winning approach to wellbeing ensures that every student, at every stage feels supported and valued.
When children are happy, they thrive socially, emotionally, physically and academically. That is why, at Erskine Stewart Melville we put wellbeing at the centre of everything we do and why we take the time to build strong relationships so that every student is known, nurtured and supported. All of this is underpinned by our five school values.
In the senior school every child will have a dedicated Guidance Leader who will help them discover their strengths, nurture their self-esteem and help them feel they belong. They are a permanent point of contact for your child and someone they can turn to for support with academic, personal and emotional matters. As a parent, you will come to know them well.
We have a holistic approach to wellbeing that supports the mental health of our students and develops the life skills and healthy mindset that teenagers need to flourish. Here is what you can expect:
- Physical Exercise and Healthy Living: the breadth of the Erskine Stewart Melville sport programme allows every child to find a sport they love. Together with our extensive Outdoor Learning programme and other wellbeing initiatives, such as our Wellbeing Walking Groups and Mindfulness sessions, we aim to embed a passion for healthy living in every child.
- Mental Health Support: Our school culture normalises and encourages conversations about mental health, enabling students to express their feelings safely, knowing that they will be supported by staff. Our staff, Guidance Leaders and our team of Wellbeing Support Assistants work together with trained student Mental Health Ambassadors to provide support and challenge the stigmas around mental health. Our school counselling service is provided by Place2Be, offering expert support to individuals and small groups.
- Focus on Friendships: the size of our school allows every student to find friends they connect with and with over 180 clubs across the schools there are lots of opportunities to meet people from different backgrounds and have fun together.
- Balance: From hill-walks and rowing, to orchestra, we offer a vast range of exciting extra-curricular and outdoor learning activities. Not only does this provide an important respite from academia while our students are at school, it also models the life balance that is necessary for good mental health in their adult lives.
- Inclusive Culture: We work hard to create a culture of inclusion and ensure that every student feels safe, included and valued. We have a strong LGBTQ+ community, supported by members of staff. Our student lead Gender Sexuality Alliance (GSA) clubs create safe, supportive spaces for students. We encourage students to champion diversity by setting up their own clubs.
- Curriculum: Wellbeing is embedded across the curriculum, including assemblies where trained teachers discuss wellbeing and self-care and our PSHE programme, which challenges stigma and focuses on maintaining positive wellbeing and coping strategies.
Carnegie Gold Award
Erskine Stewart Melville has been awarded the Gold School Mental Health Award, from the Carnegie Centre of Excellence for Mental Health in Schools. The award recognises the outstanding whole-school approach to mental health and wellbeing.
Rights Respecting School
We are a Rights Respecting School, where students don’t just learn about their rights—they live them every day, creating a vibrant, respectful community that champions equality and inspires positive change.
Place2Be Partnership
We are in partnership with Place2Be, the leading mental health charity for children and young people, who works closely with our school to provide emotional and mental health support to our students. Through Place2Be’s expert counselling services, our students will have access to a range of support, helping them to thrive academically and emotionally. We also have a team of Wellbeing Assistants across the School who can help give children extra emotional support when required.
Child Protection Policy
At Erskine Stewart Melville, safeguarding and child protection are a vital part of what we do. Our comprehensive policy ensures the safety and wellbeing of all children by promoting a culture of vigilance and respect. Staff receive regular training to recognise and respond to signs of abuse or neglect, while clear procedures are in place for reporting concerns. We work closely with parents, carers, and external agencies to create a safe and supportive environment where every child can thrive. Click here to read our Child Protection policy.
Thriving in and out of the Classroom
At Erskine Stewart Melville, we are dedicated to nurturing the emotional and physical wellbeing of every student, ensuring they feel supported, valued, and empowered to thrive both in and out of the classroom.
