Overview

This bill amends the Education Act 2002 and the Academies Act 2010 to legally require schools in England and Wales to prioritize and promote the mental health and well-being of their pupils alongside academic achievement. It mandates that schools develop policies, provide staff training, and collaborate with other organizations to support students' mental health.

Description

The bill makes several key changes:

• Amendment to the Education Act 2002: The Secretary of State will be required to create regulations forcing governing bodies to:
  • Promote pupil mental health.
  • Support pupils with mental ill health.
  • Create and publish mental health policies.
  • Provide mental health training for staff.
  • Collaborate with other schools, local authorities, and the NHS on mental health initiatives.
• Curriculum Change: The curriculum will be amended to explicitly include promoting pupil mental health and well-being alongside academic attainment.
• Amendment to the Academies Act 2010: Academies will be legally required to follow the same mental health promotion guidelines as other schools.

Government Spending

The bill does not specify direct government spending figures. However, implementing the regulations and training requirements will likely incur costs related to developing resources, staff training programs, and potential increases in support services.

Groups Affected

This bill will affect:

• Schools (all types): They will be legally obligated to implement mental health policies and provide training.
• Governing bodies: They will have new responsibilities in overseeing mental health initiatives.
• School staff: They will require training and may have increased workloads.
• Pupils: They will benefit from improved mental health support and a greater focus on well-being.
• Local authorities and NHS: They will be involved in collaborative mental health support arrangements with schools.

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