Ysgol Antur Cwm invited to speak at the Mental Health in Schools Wales Conference 2026

Ysgol Antur Cwm has been invited to contribute to the Mental Health in Schools Wales Conference in January. The event brings together school leaders, local authorities, health professionals and organisations from across the country to explore how pupils can be better supported with their emotional wellbeing. It is organised by Policy Insight Wales and forms part of the national conversation on how young people can be helped to thrive in education.

Being asked to speak at a conference of this scale is an important moment for our school. It recognises the work taking place each day to support pupils who often arrive with complex needs, disrupted educational journeys or significant challenges in their personal lives. Our approach has always been to place relationships at the centre of learning, combined with practical experiences that help young people rebuild confidence and develop a sense of purpose.

At the conference Gavin Lewis, Co Founder of Ysgol Antur Cwm, will be sharing our experience of creating a whole school environment that supports emotional regulation, personal development and long term wellbeing. This includes our outdoor learning model, vocational pathways, consistent staffing structure and individualised timetables designed around each pupil’s strengths and needs.

The conference will address several key issues facing schools in Wales including the implementation of the Welsh Government’s strategy for mental health and wellbeing, trauma informed practice, early intervention and the support required for pupils with additional learning needs. These topics align directly with the work we carry out daily and we look forward to highlighting what has been effective at Ysgol Antur Cwm and learning from colleagues across the sector.

We would like to thank Policy Insight Wales for the invitation and we look forward to contributing to the event. Supporting mental health in education is a collective responsibility and we are pleased to be part

of a national discussion that aims to create better outcomes for young people across Wales.

Details about the conference can be found here:https://www.policyinsight.wales/conferences-and-events/mental-health-in-schools-wales/