Cowes Enterprise College has received a prestigious award in recognition of its support for students’ wellbeing, health, and academic achievement.
The college is the first ever secondary school on the Isle of Wight to achieve Gold in the Partnership for Education, Attainment and Children’s Health (PEACH) award.
The Isle of Wight academy received the award for its project to support students’ mental health and wellbeing through physical education. The academy was inspired to help as many of its students access P.E as possible, as part of an inclusive approach to wellbeing. Within this, it established dedicated sports mentors, lunch clubs, and crew ambassadors who encouraged all students in their crew to participate in events such as Sports Day.
Recognising the important transition between primary and secondary P.E., Cowes Enterprise College also created a bespoke programme of support for primary pupils. Staff and sports captains collaborated with students from local primary schools to deliver insightful and welcoming assemblies, tours, Q&A sessions, and extracurricular activities at the academy, helping all young people to develop their confidence and passion in sporting activities. Leaders at the academy say the unique initiative has supported a positive, inclusive environment for all students in PE and beyond.
The award, based on a rigorous self-review of 34 criteria assessed by an independent panel, focuses on four key domains, each critical to fostering a holistic educational environment: personal, social, health and economic education; emotional wellbeing and mental health; physical activity and healthy eating.
The whole-school framework forms part of Cowes Enterprise College’s commitment to providing the best learning opportunities across academic, personal development, and wellbeing for all its students.
Rachel Kitley, Principal at Cowes Enterprise College, has said:
“This is a tremendous achievement for all of us at Cowes Enterprise College and recognises the great work we are doing to improve wellbeing for everyone in our community. The Gold award underscores our commitment to Educate for Life, and highlights our dedication to creating a supportive, healthy, and dynamic educational environment where students can thrive both academically and personally.”