Thriving in education grant programme

The council's Education and Skills and Public Health departments are offering grants to support schools and colleges throughout West Sussex to develop their whole setting approach to mental health and emotional wellbeing.

Key dates for 2026 to 2027 are:

• 5 June 2026: Deadline for applications
• 17 July 2026: Settings notified of outcome
• September 2026: Successful settings receive funding
• February 2027: Interim survey to check projects are on-track
• 16 July 2027: Final reports due

You must submit your application with all of the following documentation:

• proof that the senior mental health lead (SMHL) has completed a DfE-approved SMHL training course
• a copy of a whole-school wellbeing audit, such as the Reflective Tool or ISAT
• bank details so we can make the payment

Grant application forms are sent directly to senior mental health leads in the summer term each year. If your setting requires an application form to be sent, email thrivingin.education@westsussex.gov.uk.

We will not consider late or incomplete applications because of the high number of applications we receive.

You cannot use the grant for individual targeted support.

The grant can fund a wide range of whole-school wellbeing activities.

Examples of initiatives the grant can fund are:

• supply cover so a member of staff can attend training or carry out whole-school wellbeing work
• the purchase of resources that support wellbeing
• the purchase of books that support mental health and emotional wellbeing, using the book lists suggested by West Sussex County Council Education for Safeguarding for all key stages
• access to an evidence-based wellbeing activity
• school membership of a continuing professional development (CPD) platform with mental health content, such as Creative Education, MindEd or National College
• resources for mental health ambassadors
• equipment for a sensory space
• materials to develop a wellbeing garden
• the purchase and upkeep of a school pet that supports wellbeing

This list does not cover everything. We encourage schools to be creative as long as there is a clear evidence base for the activity.

Some activities do not qualify for the grant.

Examples of activities the grant cannot fund are:

• payment for a school counsellor or therapist
• targeted therapeutic support for individual children
• staff salaries

If you have any questions about the grant programme, email thrivingin.education@westsussex.gov.uk.

Independent schools cannot apply for this grant.

Thriving in education grant evaluation

We have carried out an evaluation of the 2024 to 2025 thriving in education grant programme. To request a copy of the full evaluation report, email thrivingin.education@westsussex.gov.uk.

We launched the Thriving in education grant programme as a pilot in 2024. The total fund for the first year was £45,000. Schools could apply for grants of up to £3,000.

We received 50 applications. A panel reviewed them, with representatives from:

• Thriving in dducation
• Thought-Full
• Specialist advisory teacher teams
• Public Health
• a headteacher from a West Sussex secondary school

We awarded grants to 30 schools.

The main aim of the grants programme is to help schools develop their whole-school approach to mental health and wellbeing. The programme also aims to promote the thriving in education approach across West Sussex schools.

Evidence showed that schools used the grants to help pupils feel settled by improving routines and learning environments, building strong and safe relationships and making inclusion and wellbeing part of everyday practice.

This led to better emotional regulation and a stronger sense of safety, which pupils described themselves. Schools also saw higher engagement in learning and stronger support for resilience, healthy lifestyles, good mental health, diversity and inclusion. In line with the whole school approach to mental health and wellbeing.