An online symposium sharing insights from postgraduate study and real-world application
Minds Ahead and Leeds Beckett University support schools to become inclusive communities where pupils and staff thrive.
Join a live online symposium bringing together school leaders and practitioners who have completed, or are currently undertaking, postgraduate study in school mental health.
Hear how research and professional learning translate into meaningful change across roles, phases and international contexts.
“Participants report increased confidence in leading and strengthening mental health provision across their school.”
When is it:
Tuesday 19 May | 15:30 (UK time)
Key information:
Role: Educational Psychologist and Head of Inclusion, The British School of Rio de Janeiro.
Topic: Global Perspectives on Educational Psychology: Navigating the Shift Toward Inclusion
A review of the evolving role of Educational Psychologists in Brazil and the UK and the push toward inclusive, social practices. I will discuss how moving beyond traditional medical models allows for more holistic, multi-agency support for children and their communities.
Role: Director of Student Welfare, Kings Academy, Reading
Topic: Leading a whole-school approach to mental health
Insights into translating learning into strategic leadership and sustained school-wide impact.
Role: Deputy Headteacher, Senior Mental Health Lead, Arthur Mellows Village College
Topic: Using Peer Mentoring within a whole school approach to mental health provision
A shared leadership experience of implementing a peer mentoring course in a mainstream secondary school as part of a whole school approach to mental health. Focus on training and implementation in a leadership role, and the learned experiences from doing this.
Role: Pastoral Lead and Mental Health Lead, Stoke Lodge Primary School
Topic: From practitioner to specialist: the professional and personal impact this achievement has had on my development
Reflections on completing a Master’s in school mental health, exploring how this has strengthened professional practice, leadership and confidence, and contributed to improved outcomes for children and young people through whole-school and multi-agency approaches.
Role: Founder and CEO, Minds Ahead.
Within months of starting Minds Ahead, Dean developed a partnership with Leeds Beckett University to launch the UK’s first university centre for mental health in schools. This has resulted in the development and delivery of innovative school mental health leadership development programmes across the UK and internationally.
If you are exploring the School Mental Health Specialist or Leadership programmes starting in September 2026, this session will give a clear, practical insight into the impact of postgraduate study on your development and your school.
