Bedales Prep, Dunhurst

Bedales comprises three coeducational independent boarding and day schools located within a 120-acre estate on the South Downs of Hampshire. Pre-Prep, Prep (Dunhurst) and Seniors all committed to developing a growth mindset approach to learning through a ‘head, hand and heart’ approach and ‘The Bedales Difference’.

Recognised as one of England’s top tier public schools, with a reputation coming from its strong international profile, above average sector academic performance but above all class leading whole child development programs.

Source: WhichSchoolAdvisor.com  Updated: 3 February, 2022

The ethos and values of these forward-thinking and ambitious schools centre around the cultivation of individual free expression, encouraging pupils to explore, contribute, consider alternative views, listen to other’s and develop their own thinking and reasoning.

A central element of the whole culture and approach at Bedales is the working farm and the community which all children are encouraged to be part of. The activities include tree planting, bee keeping, gardening and animal care including chickens, pigs, sheep and alpaca as well as horses and a therapy dog.

All of the children participate in the wellbeing programme and have their sessions in ‘The nest’ which is “…a space right in the heart of the school that is a haven of calm amid the buzz of the day.” It is a relaxed atmosphere providing a space where everyone can feel safe.

It is in ‘The nest’ where the Head of Wellbeing Debbie Baty leads the Hamish & Milo sessions and whilst only at the start of embedding the approach, it is becoming the central focus of the wellbeing curriculum within Bedales Dunhurst for all children.

“Hamish & Milo is magical. For me as a teacher, it has changed my style. It is allowing me to empower the children and allow them to grow through the conversations and sharing of experiences through the sessions. It is becoming our emotions curriculum.”

Debbie, a specialist PSHE teacher is passionate about children’s wellbeing and recognises how “the most important relationship we ever have is with ourselves to develop self-care, self-love and self-compassion.”

She believes that the Hamish & Milo resource can equip specialist teachers, as well as TAs, and pastoral staff with a deeper range of emotional literacy content to enable all children to thrive. She is also looking at ways to include parents and to invite them to some of the sessions to build a shared understanding and language around mental health.

“These are lessons for forever, they are so powerful.”

“The resource is wonderful in how it enables us to hold children in their vulnerability. It is really reflective and enables the children to really think and grow.”

One of the highlights so far is the pack ‘My friends and me’ and all the children in years 4 and 5 are joining the sessions. The wellbeing profiles are being used to help recognise shifts and changes in the children’s emotional development and also provide an opportunity for self-reflection and self-awareness for the children too.

It’s early days in the development as a whole school approach and in offering all the Hamish & Milo emotion themes to all the children across Bedales, but there is excitement and passion to embed it as a whole school initiative to enhance and deepen their wellbeing programme.