Transform lives and transform your career by gaining a post-graduate level qualification in school mental health.
Who is this for?
Educational colleagues who spend a significant amount of their time working on school mental health and are seeking a post-graduate level qualification to excel in their impact and career.
Accepting applications NOW. Apply below:
Length
School mental health specialists develop a detailed and expert level of understanding of the main issues of mental health within their setting. They explore current approaches to mental health in their environment and drive improvements for the benefit of pupils, staff and parents.
Delivery partner
Length
PGCert – 1 year
PGDip – 2 years
MA – 3 Years
Start date
September 2026
The school mental health specialist programme provides a comprehensive developmental opportunity for college, school and early years staff who are committed to ensuring quality, evidence-based support and strategies exist in their setting.
The programme provides you with the knowledge and skills to make a greater impact on the mental health of pupils, staff and the wider community. You will apply the latest thinking and research on school-based mental health approaches to your setting so that learning is contextualised and specific to the needs of your setting. All assessments will rely on your experiences as a school mental health practitioner, providing you with opportunities to reflect on, analyse and evaluate current practice and make evidence-based improvements.
You will be supported throughout by experienced tutors providing academic support, as well as access to pastoral and other support from Leeds Beckett University, to ensure that you succeed in your studies and use this opportunity to make a lasting impact on your setting.
Study is part-time and online, so that it can fit around your work and family commitments. By engaging with the course, you gain a post-graduate level qualification which other delegates have used to advance in their career.
Our programme delivery is as follows.
Each module will be assessed through the equivalent of a 4,000 written piece of work. This may include reports, analysis of current activities, reflective journals and plans for improvement. Some modules are assessed by presentations.
The dissertation module is assessed by a 12,000-15,000 word submission.
To be eligible for this programme you must:
The programme can be accessed by any colleague who is working in an educational setting, or across multiple settings, in a role that is primarily focused on supporting the mental health of pupils.
Have the support of the headteacher, principal or senior leader to undertake the programme.
“As a School Mental Health Specialist practitioner, it has been an amazing journey so far. It made me realise how much this role is useful and needed in schools. I always say that the earlier we start in identifying a child’s needs and in providing early intervention strategies, the more it will benefit the child and the school community in general.”
Elaine Azzopardi – Learning Support Educator
Cost:
“The School Mental Health Specialist programme (SMHS) has extended my knowledge of theory into practice across the entire school community. This has ensured that approaches, strategies, systems, procedures and policies have been reviewed, improved and implemented, resulting in the ability to offer efficient and knowledge informed support.”
The programme is designed for professionals working in or alongside education who want to develop specialist knowledge and expertise in school mental health and wellbeing.
Our participants come from a wide range of backgrounds, including teachers, teaching assistants, pastoral and inclusion staff, SEND professionals, safeguarding leads, school counsellors, education welfare practitioners, mental health support staff and school nurses.
Whether you work directly with children and young people, support staff, or contribute to whole-school mental health and wellbeing, the programme will help you develop the specialist knowledge, confidence and practical skills to make a greater impact within your setting.
If you’re unsure whether the programme is right for your role or experience, we’d be happy to arrange an informal conversation to discuss your individual circumstances.
The programme is designed for busy professionals working in education.
Teaching is delivered online through live evening sessions, which are recorded for later access. Online independent study can be completed flexibly around your work and personal commitments.
Most participants study alongside full-time employment, and many also balance family responsibilities. While postgraduate study requires commitment, the programme has been designed to be manageable for professionals already working in schools and related services.
If you’re unsure whether now is the right time, we’d be happy to discuss your individual circumstances and help you decide whether the programme is a good fit.
The programme is designed for professionals who are currently working in, or closely alongside, educational settings.
One of the programme’s strengths is that your learning is directly connected to your day-to-day practice. Throughout the course, you’ll apply theory, research and evidence to your own setting, using your workplace to explore, evaluate and develop approaches to school mental health and wellbeing.
Many assignments encourage you to investigate aspects of your own practice, reflect on your experiences and implement changes within your setting. This means the programme is immediately relevant to your role, while enabling you to make a meaningful contribution to the children, young people and colleagues you work with.
If your circumstances are slightly different, or you’re unsure whether your role is suitable, we’d be happy to discuss your individual situation.
Only if you are pursuing a Master’s degree in the 3-year program. The dissertation module is assessed by a 12,000-15,000 word submission.
Study is part-time and online, so that it can fit around your work and family commitments. By engaging with this course, you can gain a Master’s level qualification after three years.
The course is delivered part-time and online so it can be accessed at times that suit the applicant.
There will also be online live events, such as webinars and tutorials. The final module will include visiting another school and hosting another student at your school.
In addition to the usual requirements to be able to study at postgraduate level, you will need to:
Each module is expected to take around 200 notional learning hours. This comprises approximately 25 hours of input and support from teaching staff.
The remainder is split between applying practice at your school or college and guided independent study.
The modules are self-paced and flexible to your learning needs.
Yes. The programme is designed to be completed part-time alongside work and is structured in three stages.
Each year is an award in its own right, so you can gain a recognised postgraduate qualification at each stage.
Year 1 – Three modules leading to the Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert).
Year 2 – Three further modules leading to the Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip).
Year 3 – A Dissertation/Major Academic Project leading to the Master’s (MA).
Many participants begin with the PGCert and then decide whether to continue to the PGDip or Master’s. If you need to take a break between stages, this is also possible. Please contact us to discuss your options.
The School Mental Health Specialist Programme:
If you live in England, a Government Masters Loan can help with the course fees when enrolling on the MA.
If you are domiciled in Scotland or Wales a student loan is not guaranteed but it may be possible. Please contact us as soon as possible to discuss this as prior regulator approval is required. If you are domiciled in NI sadly no loan is available.
A limited number of international applicants may be eligible to enrol at the UK (home) fee level through selected, pre-approved partnership routes, including recognised events or partner organisations.
Please contact us (info@mindsahead.org.uk) before applying so we can confirm eligibility.
The programme is recognised under Malta’s Get Qualified scheme. Eligible applicants may be able to claim a tax credit of up to 70% of course fees upon successful completion, subject to local eligibility criteria. We have had participants successfully claim this following completion. If you have questions please contact us.
This supports our ongoing partnership work in Malta to build school-based mental health capacity.
Maltese citizens residing in Malta only
