Waingels in Woodley, part of the Orchard Learning Alliance, is an inclusive school where everyone belongs, thrives, and succeeds.
EduPod has played a pivotal role in supporting Waingels to consolidate their mental health and wellbeing journey, capturing their impact seamlessly in one centralised platform. Acting as the building blocks to their success, EduPod enabled the school to complete a comprehensive baseline audit, which laid the foundation for strategic development. Through insightful analysis and tailored coaching, Waingels was able to craft a clear, actionable plan that set the paving stones for a whole-school approach with lasting impact. This initial phase was instrumental in driving forward meaningful change, culminating in a review audit and follow-up action plan that further strengthened their strategy. One of their most significant successes has been their ability to capture whole-school voice—truly hearing and valuing the perspectives of their entire school community. EduPod provided the means to gather fundamental views on the whole-school approach, leading to a collection of beautiful, heartfelt quotes and comments from staff, students, and families. These reflections not only validated their progress but also deepened their commitment to inclusive wellbeing practices. EduPod provided the essential resources, tools, and confidence to bring everything together—tracking progress effortlessly and showcasing their journey in a way that directly supported their accreditation application.
This achievement is the result of two years of strategic planning, collaboration, and unwavering dedication. Working closely with Tanya Birch, Education Mental Health Specialist, and the wider Innovating Minds team, Senior Mental Health Lead Kim Sewell has led the way in transforming Waingels into a nurturing environment for both students and staff.
“Completing their training was so successful due to flexible nature of the course and the wide range of linked resources with each session… The coaching sessions have provided the space and guidance to identify next steps, share and celebrate successes and gain access to a wealth of resources, model policies & networking opportunities.”
The Edupod platform has been instrumental in guiding Waingels through the process of their initial audit and the development of a carefully crafted strategic approach to mental health in their school. The set up in the system lead them seamlessly through the key areas starting with readiness & motivation then Leadership & strategy.
This approach enabled Waingels to engage with their first action plan through a transformational framework, thanks to the clear breakdown of criteria in each section. The audit outcomes seamlessly translated into actionable tasks, making it easy to build a focused and effective plan. EduPod allows schools to record their evidence as they progress, keeping everything in one place while seamlessly visually tracking their implementation journey around mental health and wellbeing. Completing the audit and action plan also strengthened their application for the excelling accreditation—all within the streamlined Edupod system.
The impact of working in EduPod has enabled Waingels to formulate a strategy which is deeply felt across the school community, Something which headteacher Lindsey Humber is incredibly proud of;
“Waingels is an inclusive school where everyone is welcome as part of our vibrant, diverse community. We will always strive to help students achieve with both their academic and personal development. We create a sense of belonging where students can seek support for their learning as well as their own concerns, worries or challenges. We aim to understand and remove barriers to help students achieve their full potential.
Over the past few years we have invested in a large provision of support including a Mental Health and Wellbeing Hub, introduction of our Therapy Dog Winnie and multiple quiet/sensory/mindfulness break out spaces in our Den to name just a few. We also have specialist colleagues supporting students including a Mental Health and Wellbeing Coordinator, a Health Adviser and a Careers Adviser.” Headteacher Lindsey Humber
Waingels has built strong partnerships with organisations such as Tellmi, MHST, Samaritans, Sport in Mind, and ARC Counselling, enriching their provision with workshops, parent events, and staff CPD.
We’re proud to share how the EduPod Action Planning Tool has lead to a review in accessing external service support and made a meaningful difference for both children and their families
“Thanks for making these sessions available to us, to help us support our kids.”
“We attended many of the fantastic events organised by the Mental Health & Wellbeing Hub…” [Parent Voice]
“I can calm down before a second lesson.” [Student Voice]
Staff wellbeing is also a priority, with 94% of staff feeling their wellbeing is considered in leadership decisions.
The school’s commitment to professional development and mental health literacy is evident in the feedback from teachers:
“The information which was given to us about body language and tone… was, I thought, invaluable.”
With over 750 student drop-ins to the wellbeing hub in the last half term alone, the momentum is clear. The school continues to evolve, with a strong vision for the future:
“We aim to continue to nurture the progress made this year and strengthen the relationships between all stakeholders, making sure mental health and wellbeing of everyone is at the core of everything we do.”
Congratulations to Waingels School — your leadership and innovation are paving the way for schools across the UK to embrace a whole-school approach to mental health. We’re proud to be part of your journey and excited for what’s ahead!
Want to learn more about how EduPod can support your school’s mental health journey?
We’d love to hear from you. Book a call with our team to explore how EduPod can help you build a mentally healthy school culture for students and staff.