‘Wellbeing is an essential part of everyday school life’

This week, King William’s College and The Buchan School on the Isle of Man are marking Place2Be’s Children’s Mental Health Week, centred around the theme ‘This is My Place’. This year’s focus highlights the vital role that belonging, connection and wellbeing play in helping young people feel safe, valued and able to thrive.

At King William’s College, pupils in Years 7–13 are taking part in a carefully designed programme of tutorial activities that encourage reflection, calm and community. These include creative colouring sessions, guided meditation, seed planting, walk-and-talk conversations and mindful music. Each activity has been chosen to promote emotional literacy, self-awareness and positive relationships, reinforcing the message that wellbeing is an essential part of everyday school life, not something separate from learning.

Pastoral care is a cornerstone of life at King William’s College. With small tutor groups, a strong House system and close relationships between pupils and staff, students are known as individuals and supported accordingly. Boarding and day pupils alike benefit from a nurturing environment where kindness, routine and trusted adult support are embedded throughout the school day. Children’s Mental Health Week provides an opportunity to highlight and celebrate this ongoing commitment, while encouraging pupils to reflect on what makes their school community their place.

At The Buchan School, pupils from Reception to Year 6 are taking part in an assembly led by Talk @ Isle Listen, a prominent Isle of Man mental health charity dedicated to early intervention, prevention and reducing stigma around mental health for people of all ages, particularly children and young people. Introducing these conversations at a younger age helps pupils develop the language and confidence to express how they are feeling and to seek support when needed.

Buchan pupils already enjoy a range of pastoral initiatives designed to support emotional wellbeing in age-appropriate ways. These include the much-loved Worry Monsters – friendly (if not-so-cuddly!) characters who ‘eat’ worries that children write down and share – as well as calming corners in classrooms where pupils can pause, regulate emotions and feel safe. These simple but powerful strategies help children understand that worries are normal and manageable, and that school is a place where they are listened to and cared for.

Beyond the schools themselves, children and families on the Isle of Man benefit from access to a strong network of mental health and wellbeing services. These include Minds Matter (part of Talk @ Isle), Relate counselling services, Motiv8 addiction services, and The Children’s Centre, which supports children with behavioural, learning or emotional wellbeing needs. King William’s College and The Buchan School work in partnership with such organisations, ensuring that pupils and families can access appropriate support when required.

With Children’s Mental Health Week well underway, both schools are reaffirming their shared belief that wellbeing, belonging and academic success go hand in hand. By creating environments where pupils feel safe, supported and valued, King William’s College and The Buchan School continue to ensure that every child truly feels “this is my place”.