Hartpury is recognised for supporting mental health and wellbeing of staff and students

Hartpury College has reached the finals of the Association of Colleges (AoC) Beacon NCON Group Award for Mental Health and Wellbeing. 

The AoC Beacon Awards, which celebrate their 25^th anniversary this year, recognise the best and most innovative practices among UK colleges.

The Mental Health and Wellbeing Award celebrates the work colleges are doing to support and enhance the mental health and wellbeing of their students and staff.

Hartpury is committed to supporting its students and staff through the ongoing development of innovative, holistic interventions and learning opportunities.

Lesley Worsfold, Vice-Principal (Resources) at Hartpury, said: “We’re proud to have reached the finals of the AoC Beacon Award for Mental Health and Wellbeing, as nothing matters to us more than the welfare of our students and staff.

“There is a growing awareness within society of the importance of promoting positive mental health and wellbeing and of fostering an environment in which they can both flourish.

“We’re committed to ensuring everyone at Hartpury gets the support they need through a wide range of policies and initiatives, which are all subject to ongoing review to ensure they remain relevant and effective.

“We’re pleased that thousands of our students attended our annual Wellfest event that highlights the variety of educational and support opportunities dedicated to the safety, health and wellbeing of young people.

“Each week, we promote our innovative Wellbeing Wednesday, which encourages both staff and students to focus on mental health and wellbeing.”

David Hughes, Chief Executive of the Association of Colleges, added: “The work colleges do on wellbeing often gets overlooked.

“But institutions have shown a whole college mental health strategy that impacts on improving teaching and learning and effective support.

“All this great, much-needed work enables students to feel secure and able to learn.”

Hartpury is among four finalists in the running for the Mental Health and Wellbeing Award, with the overall winner to be announced at the AoC Beacon Awards Ceremony on 21 April next year.

Hartpury College, which has 1,800 students, was rated Ofsted Outstanding in a further education and skills report in June 2018 and for its residential provision for students in March 2019.

Offering a range of A-levels and diplomas, including Access to Higher Education diplomas, it is one of the UK’s leading land-based, sports, equine and animal colleges, with the campus covering more than 360 hectares.

It has the highest student satisfaction of all land-based further education colleges in the UK (Department of Education survey 2018/19).

Share this article