Highfield School wins prestigious mental health award

Highfield School in Liphook has received national recognition for its outstanding approach to children’s mental health, winning the Mind Champion category at the School House Awards 2026, and being shortlisted in the Pastoral Care and Wellbeing category at the Talk Education Awards for Innovation in Education 2026.

In both awards, Highfield was celebrated for its bespoke wellbeing tracker created by the school’s pastoral team after staff found that existing commercial systems did not provide the insight they needed. Every child receives a weekly wellbeing rating, building a picture over time that helps staff notice changes and offer support before difficulties escalate.

The impact of this approach was recognised during Highfield’s September 2025 ISI inspection. Inspectors found that “leaders and staff support pupils’ emotional wellbeing and mental health well” and highlighted the “consistently positive affirmation of pupils’ value”, which contributes to their high levels of self-esteem and self-confidence.

Mrs Suzannah Cryer, Head of Highfield School said “We are delighted to have won the Mind Champion award and being shortlisted for a Talk Education Award, all at the same time. We are particularly pleased that the judges recognised the importance we place on supporting the wider school community.

“Parents want to know that their child feels happy and understood at school. A child may not always be able to explain when something is wrong, so knowing them well and noticing changes in how they are feeling makes a real difference.”

The co-educational independent day and boarding school, based in Liphook, Hampshire, welcomes children aged two to 13, with emotional wellbeing at the heart of school life.

The School House Awards celebrate outstanding work across independent schools, recognising the contribution schools make to children’s development beyond academic achievement. This year they attracted ta record 150 entries across eight categories, with the Mind Champion award recognising exceptional support for pupils’ mental wellbeing.

Judge of the School House Awards and child psychotherapist Emily Samuel particularly appreciated “the emphasis Highfield school places not only on supporting children, but also parents and teachers. This is genuinely a whole-community approach to wellbeing.”

The School House award win came at the same time as Highfield being shortlisted in the Pastoral Care and Wellbeing category of the Talk Education Awards which celebrate schools with ideas that help to shape the future of education. Hundreds of schools from across the world were considered for this year’s awards, with the shortlist chosen by an editorial panel of experienced researchers, educational experts, former heads, teachers and advisers. Highfield was shortlisted for its whole-community approach, which brings together children, staff and families.

Suzannah concluded: “Our staff put a great deal of care into really knowing every pupil. Working closely with families helps us understand what each child needs and make sure the right support is there when they need it.

“We want every child at Highfield to feel that they belong and know there is always someone they can turn to.”