Sustaining Mentally Healthy Schools: Leadership from the Inside Out
Sustaining Mentally Healthy Schools
19 May 2026 - 08:30
The seminar is for the Designated Senior Mental Health Lead (DSMHL) from each school, and we encourage bringing a second delegate who has decision-making responsibility—such as an Academy Trust leader or senior school leader. This ensures the learning from the day can be put into practice across the whole school. Breakfast cobs and lunch will be provided. This full-day programme is designed to support DSMHLs in strengthening both their whole school approach to mental health and wellbeing, and their personal leadership. In the morning, we focus on practical strategies, top tips and key takeaways to implement and sustain a mentally healthy, inclusive school. In the afternoon, participants will engage in a reflective, interactive session to explore values, build self-awareness, and develop confidence in decision-making and leadership. By the end of the day, participants will leave with actionable ideas and tools to drive meaningful, sustainable impact for pupils, staff, and the wider school community. Morning Keynote Speaker Pooky Knightsmith - Mentally healthy and inclusive schools Building a mentally healthy, inclusive school doesn’t happen overnight — it develops through deliberate, consistent action embedded across the whole setting. This practical and engaging workshop will revisit the core principles of the whole school approach while moving beyond theory into meaningful action. Using an evidence-informed framework, we will reflect on what is working well, identify areas that may need renewed focus, and share practical strategies, top tips and key takeaways that can be implemented immediately. Whether you are at the beginning of your journey or have already made significant progress, this session is designed to re-energise your approach, sharpen your focus, and provide fresh ideas to drive sustainable, measurable impact for pupils, staff and the wider school community. Afternoon Keynote Speaker Nicky Bunn - Leading from Within: Values, Clarity and Confidence for DSMHLs Amid busy and demanding lives, this practical and interactive workshop offers a valuable pause for reflection and personal development. Grounded in a reflective coaching approach, it introduces powerful tools to help participants navigate challenges and complex decisions with greater clarity, purpose, and self-awareness. In the first part of the session, participants will identify their personal core values and explore how these shape their decisions, behaviours and leadership. In the second part, we focus on the inner critic - the internal voice of self-doubt that can undermine confidence and performance - and introduce practical strategies to develop a more supportive and constructive internal dialogue. Participants will leave with simple, practical tools to strengthen self-awareness, build self-compassion, and make confident, values-led decisions.
Recommended for
The seminar is for the Designated Senior Mental Health Lead (DSMHL) from each school, and we encourage bringing a second delegate who has decision-making responsibility—such as an Academy Trust leader or senior school leader. This ensures the learning from the day can be put into practice across the whole school.
Further information
michelle.robinson@derby.gov.uk