Support for Wellbeing

Wellbeing Support for School Leaders

‘Our hope for a flourishing schools system (2023)’ defines flourishing adults in the following way:

The education system stands or falls on the extent to which it is led by adults who are themselves, flourishing. Where there are few flourishing adults, there will be few flourishing children. While children need to be educated by highly proficient evidence-informed professionals in every classroom and corridor, they need to be empowered to think, create, analyse, debate and challenge by adults who are themselves well-rested, valued, supported, paid and championed by society. Flourishing adults are equipped to apply the best professional knowledge to their roles, but are also given space and time to develop wisdom, through which their core moral purpose shapes their collective decision-making. Effective education professionals see every child and class with hope, removing barriers and meeting needs through well-resourced and just systems which prioritise the most vulnerable. Adults flourish together not alone and need a deep sense of connection in a community that is defined by the collective outcomes of all – they themselves are treated with dignity, knowing their intrinsic value and worth, and experiencing this through a daily sense of being known, loved, trusted, released and empowered to play their unique part in the school’s vision for the flourishing of all.

We are committed to supporting the flourishing of adults across our schools, through ah hoc support, leadership networks, school visits and training. We encourage you to reach out if you need any support or have any suggestions as to how we could improve our offer.

Coaching and Supervision

We are able to offer both coaching and supervision, to school leaders, this is chargeable, although new headteachers can offer 3 free session of coaching, contact Gemma Hitch for more information (gemma.hitch@rochester.anglican.org)

Counselling

Additionally to this the diocese offers a free confidential counselling service to school headteachers. The counselling service is free, and more information can be found in the information document at the bottom of this page. 

Cascade

"If we can do something that enhances the wellbeing of frontline church and school leaders, who give so much of themselves to others, that will automatically cascade out into the communities that they are trying to serve.”

Bishop Adrian Newman, Chair of the St Benedict's Centre

Cascade is a new partnership between the St Benedict’s Centre based at Malling Abbey and the Diocese of Rochester, designed to help the flourishing and wellbeing of leaders in churches (lay and ordained) and schools across the area of the diocese.

Through a programme of initiatives and interventions, Cascade will support those on the front line of leadership with their physical, relational, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing.

For more information about the Cascade project see the Rochester Diocese website. 

If you are concerned that you are developing a mental health problem you should seek the advice and support of your GP as a matter of priority. If you are thinking about ending your life, please call 999 (UK) or go to A&E and ask for the contact of the nearest crisis resolution team. These are teams of mental health care professionals who work with people in severe distress.