26 June 2026
Ryde celebrates National Wellbeing Award
Ryde School has officially been honoured with a Wellbeing Award for Schools, celebrating our commitment to the mental health and happiness of our pupils and staff.
Following the rigorous assessment, judges rated Ryde’s wellbeing provision at an ‘excellent level’, praising us for building a vibrant, ‘whole-school culture’, where mental health isn't just an afterthought, it is woven into everything we do.
The official verification report by Optimus Education (in partnership with the National Children’s Bureau). stated the impact of Ryde’s hard work is ‘clear, significant, and far-reaching’.
Deputy Head (Pastoral), Jemma Harding, said:
"We are so thrilled to win this award! It’s a wonderful testament to the daily dedication of our entire Ryde community. We believe emotional resilience and mental clarity are key foundations for academic success and personal growth.
This award celebrates an ongoing, inclusive culture where every pupil and staff member feels safe, valued, and heard. This work is very much at the heart of school life at Ryde and we will continue to do everything we can to nurture and support well-rounded individuals across our school community."
The award report highlighted key areas where Ryde School stood out:
- At Ryde, wellbeing belongs to all of us. We have removed any stigma around mental health by normalising open, honest conversations in a safe, supportive environment.
- Our pupils shared that they feel safe, listened to and cared for.
- The report acknowledged the Health & Wellbeing Centre as being a dedicated and calm space for Senior pupils. While in the Prep Heart Centre children are supported by early intervention by teaching emotional vocabulary, sleep health and how the brain works.
- Utilising our island location and our outdoor spaces include the yurt provide meaningful opportunities for grounding, reflection and connection on wellbeing walks and trips to the beach.
- Pupils are taught to manage their digital footprints, understand online safety and report concerns. This has supported a calmer, more socially connected school environment.
This isn't just a temporary achievement; the report concluded that Ryde has built a lasting, sustainable culture where pupils, staff, and parents all work together.
Because of this teamwork, we've seen stronger relationships and higher confidence in a school environment where pupil voices genuinely shine.