Dear Bromley High School Community,
It has been nearly a year since we achieved the Optimus Wellbeing Award for Schools, and I can confidently say that the journey we embarked upon has made wellbeing everyone’s business. It has also reaffirmed just how powerful girls’ schools can be in championing wellbeing.
By listening to our young people, we have learned that they feel a strong sense of belonging (96% – Student Belonging & Undivided Survey 2025). Our next steps as a school will focus on nurturing a sense of mattering – ensuring each pupil feels seen, heard, and valued.
With one in six children now likely to experience a mental health condition, we must continue creating time and space for emotional wellbeing. Growing up and discovering who you are – and where you belong – can be a turbulent experience. Pupil voice has led to several impactful initiatives, including Connect & Confide, where form time is ring-fenced to allow pupils to build deeper connections with their tutors. We also introduced a non-face-to-face reporting mechanism to ensure accessibility and discretion.
A particularly popular initiative is our Trusted Adult Pilot, where trained staff members – certified in Youth Mental Health – host lunchtime drop-in sessions at the newly renovated Wellbeing Hub. This symbolic and functional space now offers a carousel of planned wellbeing activities, along with regular sessions with our school counsellor.
Our Pupil Steering Group has championed self-care through the Wellbeing Recovery Action Plan, and our Sixth Form Big Sisters have stepped into pastoral prefect roles, helping embed a strong culture of wellbeing and community.
The Anxious Generation by Jonathan Haidt has sparked much discussion around the link between poor mental health and mobile phone dependency. Haidt argues that a shift from a play-based to a phone-based childhood is contributing to increased sleep deprivation, isolation, and addiction. The book also explores how these effects manifest differently in girls and boys – with girls often facing heightened pressure from social media and self-comparison.
The key message to parents is a clear call to action: we must work together to find solutions that protect our children’s mental health.
Inspired by Haidt’s insights, we are working to “re-wire” our young people back to the joys of a play-based childhood. Our recent Wellbeing Weeks have focused on themes such as Free Play, Pause & Reflect, and Thriving Communities Flourish Together. Additionally, the introduction of Yondr pouches, which limit device use, is helping pupils cultivate more meaningful face-to-face interactions.
Our wellbeing initiative remains a priority – to ensure Bromley High School continues to be a nurturing environment where mental and emotional health is just as important as academic success. We are proud to partner with our wonderful parent community on this journey.
If you would like to get involved in the PSHE/RSE Parenting Working Party, please contact Mrs Pradic at c.pradic@bro’gdst.net to express your interest.
Mrs Hathway,
Deputy Head Teacher – Pastoral