Like many schools, Walhampton came out of the pandemic knowing something had shifted. Staff wellbeing had become urgent – but despite good intentions, the response felt reactive. A biscuit tin here, a staff social there. Nothing quite stuck.
Sarah Fisher, Head of HR and Compliance, and Claire Holly, Head of Pre-Prep and DSL, knew they needed to do something different. The always-on culture, the blurred boundaries between work and home, the gradual drain on energy and morale – it was all still there, lingering beneath the surface.
What they needed wasn’t another gesture. It was a framework.
“We thought we weren’t doing very well”
When Sarah and Claire first started working with the Humankind Award, they weren’t sure they’d even meet the standard. But their coach, Mary, helped them see what was already working – and where small, realistic changes could make a real difference.
That reflection time, Sarah says, is something that’s often missing in busy school life. “We don’t often get that time to step back and really look at what we’re doing.”
Mary didn’t ask them to overhaul everything. She helped them build on what was already there. Policy reviews now include a wellbeing lens. Staff contributions are recognized through ‘shout out’ awards. And ‘Cuppa and Connects’ – simple, termly gatherings where colleagues from different parts of the school can catch up – have become one of the most effective ways of bringing everyone together.
Small things. But not small impact.
“It’s definitely not a tick-box exercise”
What stands out in Sarah and Claire’s account isn’t just what changed – it’s how it felt.
“Leadership are more thoughtful and intentional about how they respond to us,” Claire reflects. The culture feels warmer. More collaborative. Staff are more comfortable talking about wellbeing, and a growing team of wellbeing champions now leads the work across the school.
The Humankind Award gave them structure and accountability, but it never felt prescriptive. “Mary was walking alongside us,” Sarah says. “It was personal. She took the time to understand us and our school context.”
And crucially, it’s become strategic. Wellbeing isn’t a side project anymore – it’s woven into Walhampton’s belonging strategy, their policy review process, and their everyday decision-making.
“It’s now part of our strategic plan,” Claire explains. “It’s not something we do because we like to do things with wellbeing. It underpins the way our school functions every day.”
Evidence that matters
For school leaders juggling Ofsted preparation, governor scrutiny, and the relentless demands of the school year, the Human Kind Award offers something valuable: evidence.
Sarah and Claire have been able to show inspectors and governors – clearly and confidently – the real changes that have been made and the impact on staff. Not through grand gestures, but through consistent, meaningful action.
It’s not about adding more to your plate
Perhaps the most reassuring message from Walhampton’s journey is this: sustainable wellbeing isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing what you’re already doing—but with intention.
As Claire puts it: “It’s not about adding more to your plate. It’s about integrating wellbeing into what we’ve already got going on.”
If your school is ready to move from reactive gestures to lasting change, the Humankind Award could be the framework you need.
Find out more about the Humankind Award
The Humankind Staff Wellbeing Award supports schools and colleges to embed wellbeing into leadership, policy, and everyday practice – with structure, expert coaching, and a clear path to progression. Start with the free foundation plan or explore the full award today.