CEC Celebrates Continued Success with Wellbeing Award

Cowes Enterprise College is thrilled to announce that it has been re-awarded the prestigious Optimus Education Wellbeing Award for another three years, underscoring the academy’s ongoing commitment to fostering positive mental health and wellbeing within its school community.

Developed by the National Children’s Bureau (NCB) in partnership with Optimus Education, the Wellbeing Award for Schools recognises the outstanding efforts and dedication of Cowes Enterprise College in promoting mental health and wellbeing. The academy first achieved this accolade in 2020 and has since continued to utilise the award framework to enhance its practices through comprehensive self-evaluation and stakeholder engagement.

Wellbeing continues to be at the heart of Cowes Enterprise College, embodying the academy’s mission to “educate for life”. The values, staff and student charters, ethos, and curriculum all reflect the academy’s commitment to fostering a culture of belonging, strong relationships, and aspiration for all.

The academy empowers its students to take on Student Leadership and Student Voice roles and as part of the reassessment, student representatives shared their experiences at the academy. Comments from students included:

“The support at Cowes is unmatched.”

“The mental health of pupils at Cowes is really important to CEC.”

“Wellbeing is a huge priority.”

In their reassessment report, the verifier for the Wellbeing Award stated:

“The academy has demonstrated a commitment to hearing all stakeholder voices via regular questionnaires, additional surveys, and various committees, ensuring a sense of community in its developmental strategy. The school environment is welcoming and fosters a sense of community and relational practice. There are safe zones and zones of aspiration, spaces for students to go to for support and to enhance wellbeing. The grounds include large outdoor areas and a reflection or remembrance space, all within the wider environment of the island. It is an environment where wellbeing can flourish, with a range of opportunities for wellbeing through the curriculum and various activities on offer.”

Principal Rachel Kitley, said:

“We are incredibly proud to have again been awarded the Wellbeing Award, which reflects our unwavering commitment to the positive mental health and wellbeing of our entire school community. At Cowes Enterprise College, we believe that fostering resilience and promoting a positive mindset are essential to our students’ success. This award is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our staff, students, and wider community in making wellbeing a central focus of our academy. We will continue to prioritise the mental health and wellbeing of everyone at Cowes Enterprise College, ensuring a supportive and nurturing environment for all.”

Cowes Enterprise College remains dedicated to creating a school environment where wellbeing is at the forefront, ensuring that both students and staff have the support and resources they need to thrive.