VIEWS & OPINION


Funding is essential for physical and mental health of students


Comment by LISA FATHERS, Director of Teaching School & Partnerships at the Alliance for Learning


I recently helped launch a pilot scheme to support the mental health of students which my Teaching School is leading in partnership with other organisations such as the Youth Sport Trust. The Mayor of Great Manchester has endorsed this exciting rapid pilot. It is a real collaboration, involving my teaching school, mental health


charities and professional athletes, who have all recognised the need for a much greater focus on the emotional wellbeing of schoolchildren - and the undeniable link between physical and mental health. Over the next six months, over 30 schools in Greater Manchester will


benefit from specialist support from world-class athletes. Sports education has so many benefits - on the playing field, in the classroom and outside school. It encourages a team ethic, improves health, increases concentration, forms bonds, and drives confidence in young people. I've seen first-hand the incredibly empowering effect it can have on students of all ages and abilities. A focus on academia is essential but there is the concern among many


teachers that the English Baccalaureate (EBacc) system may not be for everyone, with its strong bias towards English, Maths and Sciences. The government must continue its investment in physical and mental health and of course the arts and culture. In October, the Government doubled the funding that primary schools


receive to improve the quality of their PE and Sports provision, however at the same time, announced that the £300million of the DofE's £415 million “healthy pupils” capital programme would instead be rediverted into the


main schools budget. Funding constraints have meant an increasing number of schools have scaled back on mental health services such as in-school counsellors, when we need to be increasing the number of staff with mental health first aid training. As Director of the Alliance for Learning, I have seen the demand for mental health first aid training aid double in NW schools in the last two years. We are part of the Bright Futures Educational Trust (BFET) and have


ensured that there are at least two fully trained mental health first aiders in all of the academies within the Trust. This should be an essential in every school and I think all sports coaches should have the training too. My husband is a Performance Tennis Coach and agrees that training like this would be so useful. Some students find sport intimidating, so it is key that schools ensure that every student has access to a physical exercise that works for them. We need to break down any barriers to things that can help in the long term. The Daily Mile has helped thousands of schools bring physical activity to


students who might not otherwise exercise, making it fun, informal and part of the routine Greater Manchester is leading the way with the Daily Mile and I work closely with Greater Sport to drive this. Andy Burnham would like every school in GM to be taking part in the daily mile! We now need to ensure that this translates to other elements of school life and that physical activity is front and centre. Students and staff all have the right to wellbeing and health support - and professional help with their mental health if they ever need it.


Energy efficiency in education


– a holistic approach Comment by JACK SAUNDERS, Client Support Officer at Salix Finance’s Schools and Academies Programme


Reducing energy consumption is a key way for schools and colleges to reduce their energy spend a time when the education sector experiences rising costs. As well as reducing costs, such initiatives minimise environmental impact and contribute towards national carbon reduction targets. Having worked with schools all over the country on energy efficiency


projects, Salix has witnessed first-hand how adopting a holistic approach can maximise the potential for energy and carbon savings. Holistic projects help to reduce energy consumption to the lowest


possible level through the installation of a wide range of energy efficiency technologies. The projects also encourage the adoption of behavioural changes to streamline energy usage. For example, many schools begin addressing their energy consumption by installing LED lighting. Whilst this is an excellent start, a school taking a holistic approach may also consider whether they could install other technologies like lighting controls, new boilers and energy management systems. To maximise this new technology and energy savings the school would also work with both staff and pupils to raise their awareness of their energy use. By addressing energy concerns holistically, schools will see a greater


reduction in their energy use and subsequent energy bills compared to a single technology approach. At the same time, by combining projects together and installing them all at once rather than over a period of many years, money will be saved on design, installation and labour costs, while disruption to a site will also be minimised.


April 2018 As well as installing new technologies, reducing energy waste can be


achieved by updating energy control systems. Implementing smarter monitoring of energy usage helps identify where energy is being lost. New smarter technologies allow for more precise control, especially if combined with an energy management system. These systems can give schools the ability to quickly and easily adjust their energy systems to adapt to their needs and the external environment in real time. In order to maximise the benefits of holistic projects, staff and students


should be encouraged to take an active role in reducing their consumption by making small behavioural changes. Establishing environmental awareness clubs, providing training to identify energy saving opportunities, and running ‘switch off’ campaigns are all effective methods of instigating these behavioural changes. Working with funding providers like Salix can alleviate any financial


barriers that may be preventing educators from implementing such wide scale projects. Applying a holistic approach to energy management will help to not


only set realistic goals and achieve clear results, but it will also ensure that a campus-wide culture of energy saving is adopted. Salix Finance is funded by the Department for Business, Energy and the


Industrial Strategy, the Welsh Government, the Scottish Government and the Department of Education. Salix provide 100% interest-free loans to public sector organisations, enabling them to invest in energy efficient technologies and help to reduce carbon emissions and energy bills.


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