An independent school in Colchester is “delighted” after winning a national award for mental health and wellbeing.

Colchester Prep and High School has won an Independent Schools Award (ISA) for “Excellence and Innovation in Mental Health and Wellbeing”.

The ISA is an annual event which celebrates success within UK independent schools.

This year the awards were presented by Kriss Akabussi, a British broadcaster as well as a former track and field, hurdling, and sprint athlete.

At Colchester Prep and High School, mental health is promoted from workshops run by mindfulness teacher Ms Haggerty to regular assemblies to form-time activities on increasing positive wellbeing and resilience.

'Wellbeing' toys for the whole school, including worry monsters, fidget toys, and creative materials, are also funded by the school’s parent association.

Karen Gracie-Langrick, headteacher, said: “This is a wonderful testimony to the passion and innovation of all our staff, and especially that of our pastoral team who ensure that our pupils develop into confident, balanced, and resilient young individuals.”

Colchester Prep and High School is a co-educational independent school for children from two to 16 years while ISA is a registered charity which represents the Heads of 646 of the UK’s independent schools.