Supporting Wellbeing

The move to secondary school is an exciting step, but we know it can also feel a little overwhelming.

To help our Year 7 students settle in and feel confident, we provide a dedicated wellbeing lesson every week. These sessions focus on helping students adjust to their new environment and highlight just how important wellbeing is to life at school and beyond.

From the very start of the year, students are introduced to the Five Ways to Wellbeing – simple, evidence-based actions that support mental health and help us all feel our best.

Throughout the year, students explore key topics such as mindfulness, managing emotions, happiness chemicals, and the difference between sympathy and empathy – all taught in an engaging and age-appropriate way.

We also make sure students know where they can find extra support whenever they need it – now or in the future.

"Pupils are proud of their school and feel safe and cared for." Ofsted

The Year 7 wellbeing journey

Year 7 begins with the Strengthening Minds Programme – a supportive and engaging way to help students reflect on their hopes and worries as they start secondary school. These weekly sessions build positive habits and provide space for students to talk, think, and grow in confidence – both personally and academically.

Each half term focuses on a key theme, carefully chosen to support students' wellbeing during this important transition:

• Strengthening Minds
• The Brain and Learning
• Emotional Literacy
• Mental Health
• Active Citizens

These themes are brought to life through the Five Ways to Wellbeing:

1. Take Notice
2. Connect
3. Be Active
4. Keep Learning
5. Give

Our goal is to equip every student with tools and understanding that will not only help them thrive in Year 7, but will also support their wellbeing throughout their time at HBAED – and beyond.

Years 8-11 – The journey continues

Wellbeing continues to be an important part of our PSHE curriculum right through to Year 11, helping to make sure students can face the challenges and opportunities of the future with greater confidence and self-awareness.

Anti-bullying

We have zero tolerance of bullying. Any student, after investigation, found to have been bullying another will be dealt with robustly under ‘serious breach’ in the Behaviour Policy, which can be downloaded below, along with our Anti-Bullying Policy.