Highfield School wins Mind Champion award at School House Awards 2026

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Highfield’s success at the School House Awards 2026

Highfield School has received national recognition for its outstanding approach to children’s mental health, winning the Mind Champion category at the School House Awards 2026.

The co-educational independent day and boarding school, based in Liphook, Hampshire, welcomes children aged 2–13, with emotional wellbeing at the heart of school life.

The School House Awards celebrate outstanding work across independent schools, recognising the contribution schools make to children’s development beyond academic achievement. This year attracted a record 150 entries across eight categories, with the Mind Champion award recognising exceptional support for pupils’ mental wellbeing.

Judge and child psychotherapist Emily Samuel particularly appreciated “the emphasis Highfield school places not only on supporting children, but also parents and teachers. This is genuinely a whole-community approach to wellbeing.”

At the heart of Highfield’s work is a bespoke wellbeing tracker created by the school’s pastoral team after staff found that existing commercial systems did not provide the insight they needed. Every child receives a weekly wellbeing rating, building a picture over time that helps staff notice changes and offer support before difficulties escalate.

The impact of this approach was recognised during Highfield’s September 2025 ISI inspection. Inspectors found that “leaders and staff support pupils’ emotional wellbeing and mental health well” and highlighted the “consistently positive affirmation of pupils’ value”, which contributes to their high levels of self-esteem and self-confidence.

Mrs Suzannah Cryer, Head of Highfield School said “We are delighted to have won the Mind Champion award, and particularly pleased that the judges recognised the importance we place on supporting the wider school community.

“Parents want to know that their child feels happy and understood at school. A child may not always be able to explain when something is wrong, so knowing them well and noticing changes in how they are feeling makes a real difference.

“Our staff put a great deal of care into that work every day. Working closely with families helps us understand what each child needs and make sure the right support is there when they need it.

“This award is a wonderful recognition of that shared commitment. We want every child at Highfield to feel that they belong and know there is always someone they can turn to.”