The Human Kind Staff Wellbeing Award
Happier staff who stay, and an award that shows it
Reduce absence, keep your best people and attract new ones. A framework built on research, an experienced coach and a staff survey you can benchmark, without adding to your workload.
- Free staff survey to start
- A coach who has led schools
- Accredited for three years
“It’s now part of our strategic plan. It underpins the way our school functions every day.”
Claire Holly, Head of Pre-Prep and DSL, Walhampton School
One school’s story
From a biscuit tin to a wellbeing strategy
Before
Good intentions, nothing that stuck
After the pandemic, the response to staff wellbeing felt reactive. A biscuit tin here, a staff social there. The always-on culture and blurred boundaries were still there.
With the award
Building on what already worked
Their coach helped them see what was working and where small, realistic changes would help: a wellbeing lens on every policy review, ‘shout out’ awards, and termly ‘Cuppa and Connect’ gatherings across the school.
Now
Part of the strategy, with evidence to show
Leaders respond more thoughtfully, staff talk about wellbeing more openly, and a team of wellbeing champions leads the work. They can show inspectors and governors what changed.
“Mary was walking alongside us. It was personal. She took the time to understand us and our school context.”
Sarah Fisher, Head of HR and Compliance, Walhampton School, on working with her Human Kind coach
Why it matters
Look after your staff, and they’ll look after your school
Staff feel valued. A real focus on their wellbeing shows you support what they bring to the school.
They do their best work. Staff who aren’t stressed, exhausted or demotivated can give pupils their best every day.
They stay. Every teacher who stays saves the cost of advertising, interviews and agency fees.
78%
of teachers said they were stressed in 2023
75%
of teachers who left the profession wanted a better work-life balance
71%
left because of their workload
78%: Education Support, Teacher Wellbeing Index 2023
What your school gets
Everything you need to make change stick
A framework built on research
Recommended strategies in eight areas, aimed at the causes of low wellbeing, not just the symptoms.
A coach who’s led a school
Yours helps you choose your focus, plan the changes and keep going when term gets busy.
A survey you can benchmark
Ask staff every term, see where to improve next and compare with similar schools.
An award candidates notice
Three years’ accreditation: the logo for your website and job adverts, a plaque and a report.
The framework
Eight areas you’ll work on
- Leadership
- Connection
- Workload
- Mastery
- Health
- Support
- Life-work balance
- Values
Ideas range from clear expectations about emails out of hours to a meeting-free week at the busiest point of the year.
Meet the standard and this goes on your website, job adverts and a plaque.
Five steps to the award
Designed with your wellbeing in mind too: a simple assessment, with support all the way.
01
Get started
Your online course explains the process, introduces the framework and opens the training.
02
Meet your coach
With live coaching, your coach gets to know your school and helps you draw up a plan.
03
Build your skills
On-demand training to lead change across the school, and for staff to look after themselves.
04
Get support
Live Staff Wellbeing Networks put you alongside wellbeing leads from other schools.
05
Gain accreditation
Submit your framework. Meet the standard and you get the award logo and a report.
Start free, and add support when you’re ready
Prices exclude VAT.
Free
£0
Hear from your staff
- Send the staff survey by email or link
- See your school’s results
Foundation
£299
One-off · plan for improvement
- Everything in Free
- Compare your results with national averages
- The framework and planning tool
Popular
Progress
£1,499
For 3 years · the award
- Everything in Foundation
- A place on Leading Staff Wellbeing
- Formal accreditation and the award logo
- Live staff wellbeing networks
- Unlimited email support
Premium
£2,499
For 3 years · a coach throughout
- Everything in Progress
- Termly coaching meetings for all three years
- The Gold Award logo when accredited
Talk to us about your school
Tell us a little about your school and when suits you, and we’ll arrange a short call to explain the award and answer your questions.
Rather talk now?
Call 020 8680 4077 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm) or email [email protected].
Questions schools ask
Anything else? Call 020 8680 4077 or email [email protected].
Is it a tick-box exercise?
No. The framework recommends strategies, and your coach helps you choose and adapt the ones that fit your school. It deals with the causes of low wellbeing, not only the symptoms.
Will it add to our workload?
It’s designed not to. Schools build on what they already do, and the training is on demand, so you fit it around the school year.
How do we gain the award?
When you’re ready, submit your completed framework. We check it meets each required element, then send the award logo and a report on strengths and next steps.
What will we have to show governors and inspectors?
Your staff survey results over time, your completed framework and the report that comes with accreditation. Walhampton used theirs to show inspectors and governors what had changed for staff.
Can we start free and move up later?
Yes. Each level includes everything in the one before, so your survey results carry on as you add support.