Featured Case Study-Bedford High School Staff Wellbeing Week

• Client: Bedford High School, Leigh (Wigan Borough)
• Sector: Secondary Education 
• Audience: Whole-school workforce 
• Sessions Delivered: 5 interactive sessions
• Resources: Practical handouts and take-home resources provided
• Focus: Menopause Awareness as part of Staff Wellbeing Week 
• Staff: Open to all employees, regardless of role 
• Outcome: Excellent staff feedback and invited back for the next academic year
• Impact: Contributed to a more inclusive and evidence-based Staff Wellbeing Week

Bedford High School has long recognised the importance of supporting staff wellbeing and has traditionally held an annual Staff Wellbeing Week. In previous years, activities were intentionally informal, providing opportunities for staff to enjoy treats such as locally sourced pies and cakes as a gesture of appreciation.

This year, the school took a significant step forward by broadening its approach to wellbeing. For the first time, the programme incorporated structured sessions delivered by external specialists, giving staff access to professional advice and practical support across a range of wellbeing topics.

The week began with five menopause awareness sessions delivered by The Mobile Menopause Library and Training, followed later in the week by sessions from a sleep specialist and the Wigan Keep Active Team.

Importantly, the sessions were open to all members of staff, regardless of role. Teaching staff, support staff, administration teams, site staff and leaders were all invited to attend, recognising that menopause awareness benefits the entire workforce, not only those personally experiencing menopause.

The timing of the wellbeing week had also been reconsidered. Previous events had been held during the final week of the summer term, when many teachers were accompanying pupils on educational visits or were occupied with end-of-year activities. By moving the event to earlier in the term, the school created greater opportunities for staff to attend and engage with the sessions.

Like many schools, Bedford High School recognised that supporting staff wellbeing extends beyond offering occasional wellbeing initiatives. Menopause is an issue that affects colleagues directly and indirectly, influencing wellbeing, attendance, confidence and workplace conversations.

The school wanted to provide evidence-based information in a supportive, inclusive environment while helping to reduce stigma and encourage open discussion. Delivering sessions during Staff Wellbeing Week also provided an opportunity to demonstrate the school’s commitment to staff wellbeing in a practical and meaningful way.

By inviting all staff to attend, the school acknowledged that creating a menopause-friendly workplace is everyone’s responsibility. Increasing understanding among colleagues and managers helps foster empathy, encourages supportive conversations and contributes to a more inclusive workplace culture.

The Mobile Menopause Library and Training delivered five interactive menopause awareness sessions designed to be informative, engaging and accessible to all staff.

The sessions explored:

• Understanding  menopause and perimenopause.
• Common  symptoms and their impact on work and everyday life.
• Practical strategies to help manage symptoms.
• How colleagues and managers can provide effective support.
• Signposting to reliable sources of information and further support.
• Interactive scenarios and discussions that encouraged reflection and conversation.

Each participant received practical handouts to take away, together with information about additional resources and support services.

The sessions encouraged open discussion, challenged common myths surrounding menopause and created a safe environment where staff felt comfortable asking questions and sharing experiences 

The sessions were extremely well received, with positive feedback from staff across a range of roles within the school.

By incorporating professional wellbeing sessions into Staff Wellbeing Week, Bedford High School demonstrated its commitment to creating a supportive and inclusive workplace where staff wellbeing is recognised as a priority.

Delivering the sessions at the start of Staff Wellbeing Week helped establish a positive and inclusive tone for the programme, encouraging staff to engage with wellbeing as an ongoing conversation rather than a one-off event.

The sessions created a safe space in which colleagues were able to ask questions, share experiences and increase their understanding and management of menopause. Opening the sessions to all staff reinforced the message that menopause awareness is not solely a women's issue but an organisational wellbeing issue that benefits everyone.

Feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive, with particular praise for the practical workplace scenarios, supporting resources and evidence-based information provided.

The success of the sessions has led to further discussions about continuing to work together during the next academic year, reflecting the school's ongoing commitment to further developing its menopause policy and embedding menopause awareness into its wider wellbeing strategy.

"It was excellent Annette, staff feedback was really positive and sessions were pitched perfectly. Looking forward to working with you next academic year! Fantastic sessions, thank you! Highly recommended, and very knowledgeable! The scenarios, handouts and signposting were so valuable."

               - Claire Taylor, HR Manager, Bedford High School

 “I have come away with a better understanding and know where to go for further advise”

               -Session Participant, Bedford High School

“[I had the] chance to talk to like-minded women”

              -Session Participant, Bedford High School

“[the session was] well-presented and there was a lot of useful information”

                -Session Participant, Bedford High School