Monday 7th October 2024

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This is how we share information and good practices relating to mental health and wellbeing support in schools and colleges

What's New

NEWS: Michael Syddall Accreditation

14th May 2024

Michael Syddall CofE (Aided) Primary School in Richmond, North Yorkshire receive AcSEED Award

NEWS: Sherborne House Accreditation

16th January 2024

Sherborne House School in Chandlers Ford, Hampshire receive AcSEED Award

NEWS: The AcSEED Newsletter

28th July 2022

AcSEED Newsletter for July 2022

NEWS: UK Government blog

21st July 2022

What we are doing to improve the mental health of children and young people

NEWS: AcSEED at MHW Show 2022

11th May 2022

AcSEED were a presenter and exhibitor at the Mental Health and Wellbeing show in Cardiff on 10th May 2022

NEWS: Wistaston Accreditation

25th April 2022

Wistaston Church Lane Academy in Crewe, Cheshire receive AcSEED Award

NEWS: Gorse Hall Accreditation

7th April 2022

Gorse Hall Primary and Nursery School in Stalybridge, Cheshire receive AcSEED Award

NEWS: Crosby High Accreditation

7th April 2022

Crosby High School in Crosby, Merseyside receive AcSEED Award

NEWS: St Olave's Accreditation

1st April 2022

St Olave's Grammer School in Orpington, Kent receive AcSEED Award

NEWS: St Paul's Accreditation

19th August 2021

St Paul's Church of England Primary School in Stalybridge, Cheshire receive AcSEED Award

NEWS: The AcSEED Newsletter

14th December 2020

AcSEED Newsletter for December 2020

NEWS: On-line Wellbeing Support

11th December 2020

Kooth: An on-line Mental Health Support Platform

NEWS: Mental Health in Schools Conference

11th November 2020

Report from the Westminster Insight conference on Mental Health and Wellbeing in Schools

NEWS: Fairfield Road Accreditation

20th October 2020

Fairfield Road Primary School receive AcSEED Award

NEWS: Newport Girls' get AcSEED Award

31st August 2020

Congratulations to Newport Girls' High School in Shropshire ...

NEWS: First AcSEED Wellbeing Centre

25th June 2019

Trinity School and College opens the first AcSEED Wellbeing Centre

Q & A

How do you ensure the quality of AcSEED accreditation?

The AcSEED accreditation framework has been devised using.....

  • Government recommendations / papers, for example 'Every Child Matters'.
  • Learning outcomes from previous projects, such as SEAL (Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning).
  • Personal accounts from young people, parents and school staff.
  • Case studies of UK schools.

AcSEED cannot give 100% guarantee that accredited schools will never fall short of AcSEED standards, however we do our best to thoroughly assess every school to ensure they are meeting expectations. AcSEED acknowledges even schools which offer exceptional welfare support will still have students struggling with their mental health. AcSEED does not measure standards based on how many students require emotional support. Schools are required to renew their accreditation every two years; however AcSEED reserves the right to enquire and (where appropriate) revoke accreditation if significant concerns are raised.

What are the benefits of being an AcSEED accredited school?

AcSEED accredited schools receive...

  • A certificate of accreditation as recognition of the school's commitment to wellbeing.
  • Listing on the AcSEED website as an accredited school.
  • Rights to use the AcSEED logo in school promotional material.
  • Rights to promote AcSEED accreditation through relevant printed and social media.
  • Opportunity to promote the school's best practices on the AcSEED website.

How can my school become accredited?

If you think your school is already meeting the criteria required for AcSEED accreditation, or needs to work towards improving emotional wellbeing support as promoted by The AcSEED Initiative, please suggest this to a member of the school wellbeing / pastoral team or head teacher. This website provides guidance to schools that wish to engage with the initiative and to apply for The AcSEED Award.

Which types of school be accredited?

The AcSEED framework for emotional wellbeing and mental health support is applicable to all types of schools, and thus applications for accreditation are welcomed from all UK schools.

Are there different levels of accreditation?

Initially we would like to see all schools providing a consistent level of wellbeing support, although the award assessors also have the opportunity to commend schools on the provision of additional and/or best-in-class support. In the future we hope to extend the scheme with advanced criteria that would justify a gold award, although the precise details of this scheme have not yet been defined.

Do you run wellbeing workshops in schools?

Whilst AcSEED does not currently run school workshops, we do have close links with other organisations and individuals that can organise such events. For more information visit the Teacher sharing zone.

Does AcSEED give presentations to education professionals?

Representatives of The AcSEED Initiative have presented at many conferences, speaking about wellbeing in schools and promoting AcSEED accreditation. These talks are primarily aimed at school staff, teachers and members of the Senior Management Team. If you would like more information then please contact us.

Can you advise counsellors and teachers on how to support a student?

AcSEED does not offer advice on how to support individual students. However general school wellbeing information, and a wealth of personal experiences, can be found throughout the AcSEED website. AcSEED will also suggest areas for whole school development in response to school self assessment forms submitted for The AcSEED Award.

AcSEED cannot comment on any legal matters or provide specific health or teaching advice.

I have concerns about a young person or a school, who should I inform?

If you believe a child is in immediate danger then please contact your local police force.

The NSPCC run a free, confidential helpline offering advice to adults who are worried about a young person. For more information please refer to the NSPCC Website.

If you have concerns about a school then in the first instance talk directly to the head teacher or Chair of Governors. If you are not satisfied with their response you can also utilise the school's complaints procedure or contact the Department for Education.

How is AcSEED funded?

The AcSEED Initiative is operated by volunteers, and receives valuable support from charitable organisations.

AcSEED is currently funded through small private donations, but will be assessing other funding opportunities to support wider deployment of the initiative and to maintain it's operational activities and promotion of wellbeing support in schools.

How can I get involved?

There are many opportunities to get involved with AcSEED. For more information please see our Volunteering page.

Can you add a link to my website from the AcSEED 'Related Websites' page?

We are always looking to expand and update our links to websites that contain information relevant to the aims of AcSEED, and welcome any suggestions. However we are unlikely to link to sites that ...

  • Promote privately funded products or services (such as individual counsellors).
  • Represent organisations that are not based on the UK.

The final decision on whether to link to specific websites rests with The AcSEED Initiative.

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