Highfield and Brookham commended in Independent Schools of the Year Awards for Student Wellbeing

Highfield and Brookham School has been commended in the Independent Schools of the Year Awards 2026 in the Student Wellbeing category, recognising the school’s outstanding commitment to supporting the mental and emotional wellbeing of its pupils.

The Independent Schools of the Year Awards celebrate excellence across the independent education sector, recognising schools that demonstrate innovation, impact and outstanding practice in a wide range of areas

The national recognition celebrates Highfield and Brookham’s whole-school approach to wellbeing, which places emotional health at the heart of school life from Nursery through to Year 8. Rather than relying on off-the-shelf programmes, the school has developed its own bespoke wellbeing framework, enabling staff to monitor every pupil’s emotional wellbeing weekly and provide early support whenever it is needed.

The commendation follows a year in which the school continued to strengthen its pastoral provision, supporting pupils through challenges including school transition, friendship issues, academic pressure and anxiety. Guided by its bespoke wellbeing framework, the school is able to identify emerging concerns early, working closely with families to provide tailored support that reflects each child’s individual needs.

A leading co-educational independent prep school in Liphook, Hampshire, Highfield and Brookham is recognised in the Tatler Schools Guide for its future-focused approach to education and exceptional pastoral care. The school is committed to nurturing every child’s individual strengths, helping pupils develop the confidence, resilience and skills to flourish.

Highfield and Brookham’s approach has also received external recognition beyond the awards. During its September 2025 inspection, ISI found that “leaders and staff support pupils’ emotional wellbeing and mental health well”, while noting the high levels of self-esteem demonstrated by pupils across the school. The school’s work has also been recognised by SchoolTV, which invited Highfield and Brookham to share its approach as an example of best practice in promoting mental health literacy.

Mrs Suzannah Cryer, Head of Highfield and Brookham School, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have been commended in the Independent Schools of the Year Awards for Student Wellbeing. One of our core values at Highfield and Brookham is ‘Being You’ because we believe every child deserves to feel comfortable in who they are. When children know they are accepted as individuals, they develop the confidence to be themselves and embrace new challenges. That sense of belonging underpins everything we do and is at the heart of our approach to wellbeing.”

She added: ” This recognition reflects the dedication of our entire staff team, who work every day to ensure every child receives the care and support they need to thrive. That is because wellbeing is not a standalone initiative at Highfield and Brookham; it is woven into every aspect of school life. We take the time to really know our pupils and work closely with families so that support is there whenever it is needed. We are incredibly proud that this approach has been recognised on a national stage.”