The Leys Named As Finalists for Wellbeing Award
The Leys is delighted to have been named as a Finalist in the Student Wellbeing category of the prestigious Independent Schools of the Year Awards 2026. The School has been recognised for its outstanding commitment to pupil wellbeing, an area that sits at the heart of daily life.
Organised by Independent School Parent magazine, the awards celebrate excellence and innovation across the independent education sector. Now in their ninth year, the awards attracted a record number of entries from schools across the UK, making competition for a place on the finalists’ shortlist stronger than ever.
Rather than being a standalone initiative, wellbeing at The Leys is embedded throughout the School’s culture. Pupils are known as individuals within a welcoming and inclusive community where support is readily accessible and strong relationships underpin every aspect of school life. This approach was recognised during the School’s most recent Independent Schools Inspectorate inspection, which identified a “Significant Strength” in the School’s community and culture.
Over the past year, The Leys has further strengthened its wellbeing provision through the development of a clear mental health and wellbeing pathway, ensuring pupils can access the right support quickly and effectively. The School’s counselling provision includes a Chinese-speaking counsellor, enabling pupils to seek support in Mandarin, Cantonese or English according to their individual needs.
The judges also recognised the School’s commitment to listening to and acting on pupil voice. Initiatives such as Whisper, The Leys’ anonymous reporting platform, enable pupils to raise concerns about wellbeing, friendships, bullying or wider school life, helping pastoral staff respond swiftly and appropriately.
A key strength of the School’s approach is the close collaboration between academic, pastoral and medical teams. Through the Health Centre, every pupil has access to a dedicated support network, while pupil-led groups, including the Health Centre Committee and International Boarders’ Committee, play an active role in shaping future wellbeing provision.
Particular attention is given to supporting the School’s international community through induction programmes, peer mentoring and culturally inclusive events that help pupils feel connected and supported from the moment they arrive.
Dr Helen Wright, Chair of the judging panel, said: “Well done to all the schools who have entered this year’s Independent Schools of the Year awards! Already, it is clear that the independent sector remains strong in spirit and outcomes, and as the judging process moves into its next phase, the judges look forward enormously to selecting and celebrating extraordinary practice.”
The winners of the Independent Schools of the Year Awards 2026 will be announced at a ceremony at The Law Society, London, on 14 October. The Leys is honoured to be recognised among the country’s leading schools for student wellbeing and congratulates all those schools that have been shortlisted across this year’s awards.