Information around pupil wellbeing and mental health is never-ending. Windlesham House School headteacher, Ben Evans explains why parent well-being should be taken seriously too.
Parent wellbeing ? not just pupil wellbeing ? should be on every school?s agenda says Ben Evans, Headmaster at Windlesham House School in West Sussex.
Why Windlesham House School believes parent well-being should be considered
Understandably, schools have focused their efforts on pupil mental health and wellbeing over recent years. Most now have dedicated staff, counsellors, wellbeing centres, proactive mentoring schemes and more.
Throughout the pandemic, there have been growing concerns that pupils are suffering from detachment from school and lack of socialisation as well as the anxiety surrounding  Covid and mitigating measures. Windlesham House School
Interestingly, what many schools fail to recognise, is the wellbeing and mental health of parents, even though this has a direct result and impact on their pupils. Many parents have been under huge strain, both mentally and financially.
Add to this prolonged home-schooling periods, furlough and the changing face of the workplace, and the pressure can be huge.
Why should schools care"
Unless schools support parents in tackling these issues, they are ultimately, not doing the best for their pupils. Schools pride themselves on being close knit, supportive communities.
Therefore, school leaders have a duty of care to everyone in that community,...